Lecture 5 – Gender & Democracy
Dahl’s Requirements for Democracy (review & link to
gender)
● Reminder: Dahl argued real democracy requires five things: participation, voting
equality, inclusion, control of agenda, and enlightened understanding.
● When we apply these to gender, it becomes clear that even democratic systems often
fail women.
Exam tip: Always connect gender gaps back to Dahl’s conditions — if women lack equal
representation, conditions like voting equality and inclusion are incomplete.
Gender Gaps in Democracy
● Women are still underrepresented in parliaments and leadership positions globally.
● Explanations for this gap come from three perspectives:
1. Supply-Side Explanations
● Focus on the pipeline of candidates.
● Fewer women run for office because of structural barriers:
○ Unequal family responsibilities.
○ Limited access to networks and funding.
○ Socialization into thinking politics is a “male” field.
Example: If political careers require years of networking and late-night meetings, women with
childcare responsibilities are disadvantaged.
2. Demand-Side Explanations
● Focus on voters, parties, and institutions.
● Even when women run, they face:
Dahl’s Requirements for Democracy (review & link to
gender)
● Reminder: Dahl argued real democracy requires five things: participation, voting
equality, inclusion, control of agenda, and enlightened understanding.
● When we apply these to gender, it becomes clear that even democratic systems often
fail women.
Exam tip: Always connect gender gaps back to Dahl’s conditions — if women lack equal
representation, conditions like voting equality and inclusion are incomplete.
Gender Gaps in Democracy
● Women are still underrepresented in parliaments and leadership positions globally.
● Explanations for this gap come from three perspectives:
1. Supply-Side Explanations
● Focus on the pipeline of candidates.
● Fewer women run for office because of structural barriers:
○ Unequal family responsibilities.
○ Limited access to networks and funding.
○ Socialization into thinking politics is a “male” field.
Example: If political careers require years of networking and late-night meetings, women with
childcare responsibilities are disadvantaged.
2. Demand-Side Explanations
● Focus on voters, parties, and institutions.
● Even when women run, they face:
