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The puzzling success of populist parties in promoting women’s political representation

Bibliographic Data

ID6314827
AuthorsTatiana Kostadinova (0000-0002-6799-9571, Florida International University, corresponding author), Anna Mikulska (0000-0001-6563-6964, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA)
Year2017
Volume23
Issue4
Pages400-412
Publication date2017-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueParty Politics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-0688 • E-ISSN: 1460-3683
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1354068815601604
OpenAlexW2339879768
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited45

Previous research dismisses the possibility that populist, male-dominated parties could positively affect gender equality. Yet, evidence from Eastern Europe points at the opposite: Center-rightist formations, led by notable men, have effectively nominated women to office. What can explain such a puzzling phenomenon? This study argues that i) the centralized structure and practices in these populist parties make it possible to avoid the reluctance of gatekeepers to let female candidates run; and that ii) regardless of ideological or cultural predispositions, supporters loyally approve the nomination decisions made by their charismatic leader. We analyze data on three populist parties in Bulgaria and Poland. Our findings confirm that these formations elected more women than the leftist parties because of strategies to nominate female candidates higher on the list. Voters were also more likely to favor female candidates in the open-list system in Poland

Charisma · General election · Ideology · Left-wing politics · NOMINATE · Nomination · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Populism · Primary election · Representation (politics · Sociology · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Gender Politics and Representation · Law · Populism, Right-Wing Movements

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Unique citing works9
Citations per year1
Citation span2017 - 2026 (10)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 9
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