Mind the Gap. Do Proportional Electoral Systems Foster a More Equal Representation of Women and Men, Poor and Rich ?

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Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_65C6425DDDD5
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Mind the Gap. Do Proportional Electoral Systems Foster a More Equal Representation of Women and Men, Poor and Rich ?
Journal
International Political Science Review
Author(s)
Bernauer J., Giger N., Rosset J.
ISSN
0192-5121
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2015
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
36
Number
1
Pages
78-98
Language
english
Abstract
Female gender and low income are two markers for groups that have been historically disadvantaged within most societies. The study explores two research questions related to their political representation: 1) Are parties ideologically biased towards the ideological preferences of male and rich citizens? 2) Does the proportionality of the electoral system moderate the degree of underrepresentation of women and poor citizens in the party system? A multilevel analysis of survey data from 24 parliamentary democracies indicates that there is some bias against those with low income and, at a much smaller rate, women. This has systemic consequences for the quality of representation, as the preferences of the complementary groups differ. The proportionality of the electoral system influences the degree of underrepresentation: specifically, larger district magnitudes help closing the considerable gap between rich and poor.
Keywords
Ideological Congruence, Gender Inequality, Income Inequality, Proportional Representation, Multilevel regression
Web of science
Create date
05/07/2013 7:30
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:21
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