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Candidate Selection and Male Dominance in Europe’s New Democracies

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Gender, Institutions and Political Representation

Part of the book series: Gender and Politics ((GAP))

Abstract

This chapter examines the supply and demand model of candidate recruitment in the context of post-communist Europe. Altogether, it seeks to make a prima facie case as to where the balance of the evidence lies with respect to identifying the mechanisms sustaining men’s numerical over-representation in politics over the post-communist period. I find that that the mechanisms responsible for sustaining male over-representation in politics over the post-communist period are located primarily at the stage where party gatekeepers select candidates for political office. Additionally, there is also some (for now, limited) evidence that supply-side factors—time, rather than motivation—also play a role in the shift from eligible to aspirant. However, there is virtually no evidence that electorates in the post-communist region actively prefer male candidates to the extent that they vote against women in elections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Politics and Contemporary History, University of Salford Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

    Cristina Chiva

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  1. Cristina Chiva
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Chiva, C. (2018). Candidate Selection and Male Dominance in Europe’s New Democracies. In: Gender, Institutions and Political Representation. Gender and Politics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-01177-0_3

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