Am I equal? Internet access and perceptions of female political leadership ability in the Arab world. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shamaileh, Ammar
• Is Part Of: Journal of information technology & politics. Volume 13:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 257
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Comparative politics -- gender -- Internet -- Middle East; Electronic government information -- Periodicals; Internet in public administration -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; 320.0285
• DOI: 10.1080/19331681.2016.1163518
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-1681

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Can the Internet assist with the tearing down of barriers to female political empowerment in the Arab world? This article presents two alternative theories regarding the effect access to the Internet may have on perceptions of female political leadership ability in Arab countries. These theories are tested utilizing survey data drawn from twelve Arab countries and all three waves of the Arab Barometer, and I find evidence to support the hypothesis that access to the Internet affects female, but not male, perceptions of female political leadership ability in the region. It is my hope that this article can help shed light on how the Internet may affect politically marginalized populations.