Description
Book Synopsis"[Why Don’t Women Rule the World?] is unlike other texts in its comparative approach and strong theoretical underpinnings. It has interesting pedagogical features that will resonate with comparative scholars, Americanists and those who integrate public policy analysis into the course."
—Rebecca E. Deen, University of Texas at Arlington
Why don’t women have more influence over the way the world is structured?
Written by four leaders within the national and international academic caucuses on women and politics, Why Don′t Women Rule the World? helps students to understand how the underrepresentation of women manifests within politics, and the impact this has on policy. Grounded in theory with practical, job-related activities, the book offers a thorough introduction to the study of women and politics, and will bolster students’ political interests, ambitions, and efficacy.
Key Features:
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A comparative perspective expands students’ awareness of their own intersectional identities and the varying effects of patriarchy on women worldwide.
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A variety of policy areas highlighted throughout the book illustrates how different theories are applied to real-world situations.
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Multiple political engagement activities keep students engaged with the content.
Trade Review"[
Why Don’t Women Rule the World?] is unlike other texts in its comparative approach and strong theoretical underpinnings. It has interesting pedagogical features that will resonate with comparative scholars, Americanists and those who integrate public policy analysis into the course." -- Rebecca E. Deen
The text focuses on American women but includes numerous international comparative examples and profiles...The authors do valuable work in systematically unpacking arguments for why women are underrepresented in public life and assessing what social science research reveals about relevant issues, such as voter response to female candidates, the power of incumbency, and the media bias. -- C.E. Rymph
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements About the Authors CHAPTER 1 • Why Don’t Women Rule the World? The Creation of Patriarchy Reification and the Social Construction of Reality Conclusion Plan of the Book Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 2 • History of Women in Politics Colonial History The First Wave The Second Wave The Third Wave Conclusion Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 3 • Public Opinion How Individuals Form Opinions About Gender Issues How Sex Influences Public Opinion Partisan Preferences and Voting Behavior Conclusion Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 4 • Political Ambition Promoting Women’s Access and Ambition Gender Socialization and Political Ambition Traditional Family Role Orientations The Masculinized Ethos of Politics Women’s Gendered Psyche Conclusion Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 5 • When Women Run When and Where Women Candidates Emerge Campaign Finance Women as Candidates in 2018 Dismantling the Masculine Ethos of Politics in 2018 and Beyond Conclusion Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 6 • Women in Legislatures Women’s Representation in Legislatures Around the World Theories of Representation The Effect of Women’s Representation in Legislative Bodies The Behavior of Individual Women Legislators Women as Institutional Leaders Effects Outside the Institution How to Increase the Number of Women in Legislative Office Conclusion Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 7 • Women in the Executive Patriarchy, Military Masculinity, and Executive Stereotypes Gender Stereotypes in Leadership and the Presidency: Public Support and Media Descriptive Representation in Parts of the Executive Women in Cabinets: The United States and in Comparative Perspective Women’s Policy Agencies Women in State and Local Institutions Substantive and Symbolic Representation in Executive Institutions Conclusion Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 8 • Women in the Judiciary Women as Lawyers and in Law School Women as Public Legal Officials The Impact of Women in the Judicial Branch The Effect of the Courts on Women’s Lives Increasing the Representation of Women in the Judicial Branch Conclusion Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 9 • Women in Social Movements Interest Groups, Social Movements, and Social Movement Organizations Challenges for Women’s and Feminist Movements Conclusion: Intersectional Resistance in the Post-Trump Era Review Questions Ambition Activities Key Words References CHAPTER 10 • Conclusion The First Step: Admit That Patriarchy Exists The Second Step: Listen to Women’s Complaints and Take Their Anger Seriously The Third Step: Understand the Roots of Women’s Anger The Fourth Step: Monitor Progress and Backlash to Establish Priorities The Fifth Step: Decide What to Do and Act Review Questions Ambition Activity Key Words References Appendices Appendix 1: Conducting Interviews Appendix 2: Comparison Index
