The impact of descriptive representation on "persistent" gender gaps: political engagement and political trust in Uruguay. (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hinojosa, Magda; Fridkin, Kim L.; Kittilson, Miki Caul
• Is Part Of: Politics, groups, and identities. Volume 5:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 435
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Symbolic representation -- descriptive representation -- gender -- quota -- Uruguay -- political interest -- trust in elections -- trust in political institutions; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Political psychology -- Periodicals; Sex -- Periodicals; Ethnicity -- Periodicals; Ethnicity; Identity (Psychology); Political psychology; Sex; Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1080/21565503.2017.1330215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2156-5503

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Persistent gender gaps in political engagement, which have been observed across the globe, continue to puzzle researchers. Given that the heightened legislative presence of a previously under-represented group has the potential to boost political involvement among citizens, this paper addresses the question of how women's increased descriptive representation can shape political engagement and trust in the democratic process. The adoption of a gender quota in Uruguay allowed us to prognosticate a rise in women's descriptive representation following the October 2014 elections. Our two-wave panel survey polled 1200 Uruguayan citizens immediately prior to the elections when the gender quota was first applied and shortly thereafter. Our results reveal that "persistent" gender gaps are not insurmountable. After the election, women are more likely to trust in political institutions than men, and previous gender gaps in political interest, understanding of the issues, and trust in elections dissipate.