Synopses & Reviews
This comparative study of electoral procedures, trends, and key issues is the first to deal with the representation of women and minorities around the world. Wilma Rule and Joseph Zimmerman have brought together an international team of scholars who show why there is gross underrepresentation of women and minorities internationally and who analyze the cultural, socio-economic, and political barriers to their future electoral successes. The scholars describe the current situation in 20 countries in various regions and point to ways for women and minorities to enhance positions politically. This text is intended for courses in comparative politics, political parties and elections, women in politics, and minority politics.
Synopsis
This first study of the representation of women and minorities in 20 countries around the world by an international team of scholars analyzes the current problems and suggests ways for them to enhance their positions politically.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [247]-250) and index.
About the Author
WILMA RULE, Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Reno, co-edited the companion study United States Electoral Systems: Their Impact on Women and Minorities (Greenwood Press, 1992).JOSEPH F. ZIMMERMAN, Professor of Political Science at the Graduate School of Public Affairs, State University of New York at Albany.
Table of Contents
Preface
The Underrepresentation Problem
Equity in Representation for Women and Minorities by Joseph F. Zimmerman
Parliaments of, by, and for the People: Except for Women? by Wilma Rule
Minorities Represented and Unrepresented by Matthew S. Shugart
Europe and the United States
Comparing Political Opportunities in Great Britain and Ireland by Enid Lakeman
Norway: Achieving World-Record Woman's Representation in Government by Jill Bystydzienski
The German Personalized Proportional Representation System: A Barrier to Women? by Beate Hoecker
The Impact of the French Electoral System on Women and Minorities by Kay Lawson and Miriam Feldblum
Soviet Political Arrangements: The Representation of Women and Minorities by Carol Nechemias
The Underrepresentation of Women and Minorities in Elective Office in the United States by Joseph F. Zimmerman
The Middle East and Africa
The Israeli Electoral System by Avraham Brichta and Yael Brichta
Women and Electoral Politics in Arab States by As'ad AbuKalil
Namibia: The Last African Colony's First Election by P.J.J.S. Potgieter
Asia
"Woman Power" in Japan's 1989 Upper House Election by Theodore McNelly
Electoral Systems and Women's Representation in Taiwan: The Impact of the Reserved-Seat System by Bih-Er Chou and Janet Clark
Women in the South Korean Electoral System by R. Darcy and Chong-Min Hyun
The Impact of the Philippine Electoral System on Women and Minorities by Linda Richter
Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand
Argentina: The (No) Ceteris Paribus Case by N. Guillermo Molinelli
Women and Politics in Brazil: Legislative Elections by Fanny Tabak
The Representation of Women and Minorities in the National Legislatures of Costa Rica and Nicaragua by Michelle A. Saint-Germain
Representation of Women and Ethnic Minorities in the Parliaments of Australia and New Zealand by Joan Rydon
Enhancing the Election Prospects of Women and Minorities
Beating the Law of Minority Attrition by Rein Taagepera
Selected Bibliography
Index