Low Female Political Representation in the US: An Institution-Based Explanation

• Published in: Journal of international and area studies 2019, 26(1), , pp.65-87
• Main Authors: Ahn, Soo-hyung, Kim, Jaechun, Kang, William
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 정치외교학
• ISSN: 1226-8550; 2765-1800
• DOI: 10.23071/jias.2019.26.1.65

This research seeks to investigate key variables affecting low female political representation in the US. Although playing a leading role in promoting democracy and human rights in other countries, the US ranks low in female political participation than expected. For instance, New Zealand is similar to the US in political history and culture, demographic structure and gender ratio, and democracy level; however, it ranks higher in political representation of women than does the US. Arguably, existing literature on female political representation relies on three strands of explanations: socio-structural, culture-based, and institution-based. The findings in this research confirm the validity of the institution-based explanation. They suggest that political institution such as the electoral system is a crucial variable that can explain why the US ranks lower in female political representation than does New Zealand. The electoral system is also a key variable that can explain why female representation ratio in state legislatures in six particular states in the US—Vermont, Washington, Arizona, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Maryland—is higher than the rest. The research confirms that the mixed-member proportional system elects more women than the single-member district plurality system in the US.