Reproductive rights and democratic backsliding in the United States and Romania
A comparison
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19219293 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mihaela Ivănescu (0000-0001-8111-3303, Ovidius University), Luiza Maria Filimon (0000-0002-7916-0562, Ovidius University, corresponding author), Luiza-Maria Filimon |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 118 |
| Pages | 103368-103368 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-15 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Women s Studies International Forum (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0277-5395 • E-ISSN: 1879-243X |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.wsif.2026.103368 |
| OpenAlex | W7164846973 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
Encroachments on reproductive rights have been linked to democratic backsliding in polarized societies. This study examines how governmental and non-governmental actors advancing policy positions that aim to restrict reproductive rights are vectors of polarization that fuel democratic backsliding. In comparing the United States and Romania, the study considers democratic erosion in connection to its gendered dimension reflected in the institutionalization of pro-life stances that undermine women's reproductive rights and shape anti-abortion legislation. The analysis identifies three categories of actors – governmental institutions, religious institutions, and advocacy groups – and considers their capacity to shape policy dynamics that subvert gender rights by limiting women's autonomy and sanctioning their choices, while, at the same time, contributing to the consolidation of illiberal politics
Autonomy · Democracy · Democratic consolidation · Human rights · Institutionalisation · Limiting · Reproductive rights · Gender Politics and Representation · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Reproductive Health and Technologies
Unintended pregnancy and gender inequality worldwide
“A mother is a mother, and a father is a father.” (Anti-)gender at play in the 2024 Romanian elections
Democratic paradox
Women as agents of democratic backsliding
Abortion Law Illiberalism and Feminist Politics in Comparative Perspective
Explaining Backlash
The European Union and Gender Equality
Transitional Moments, Conflicts over Gender, and the Meanings of Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and South America
Religion, Politics and Sexuality in Romania
Beyond gender equality? Anti-gender campaigns and the erosion of human rights and democracy
Authoritarianism, violence, and varieties of gender regimes
Abortion at the edges
Democratic Backsliding
Theorizing Norm Stagnation and the Evolution of Domestic Norm Compliance
It's very much part of this movement to undermine democracy
Democratic Backsliding in the American States
A Feminist Institutionalist Approach
The Anatomy of Democratic Backsliding
On Democratic Backsliding
Unwelcome Change
Theories of Democratic Backsliding
Polarization and the Global Crisis of Democracy
Abortion Policies in a Polarizing World Society, 1970 to 2020
Laboratories of Democratic Backsliding
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |