Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T20:57:13.288Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Women Rule: Shattering the Executive Glass Ceiling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 May 2008

Farida Jalalzai
Farida Jalalzai
Affiliation:
University of Missouri - St. Louis
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

“When we inaugurate a President of the United States we give a man the powers of our highest office.”

Richard Neustadt, preface to the first edition of Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents, 1960
Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, this article compares nearly all cases of women presidents and prime ministers in power between 1960 through 2007. In a comparative gender analysis, I focus on the impact of institutional and structural factors on the ways in which women acquire their positions and on the type of executive authority exercised. Women are more likely to enter office when their powers are relatively few and constrained. The political systems in which they lead generally feature fragmented executive power arrangements, including a dual executive structure. Women also enter in politically unstable contexts and in countries lacking political institutionalization, frequently as members of privileged groups. Findings indicate that comparative politics research needs to explore the gendered connections between executive positions and authority, power, and independence.

Type
Research Article
Information
Politics & Gender , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , June 2008 , pp. 205 - 231
Copyright
Copyright © The Women and Politics Research Section of the American Political Science Association 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Beckwith, Karen. 2005. “A Common Language of Gender?” Politics & Gender (March): 128–37.Google Scholar
Blondel, Jean. 1987. Political Leadership: Towards a General Analysis. London: Sage.Google Scholar
Borrelli, MaryAnne. 2002. The President's Cabinet: Gender, Power, and Representation. Boulder CO: Lynn Rienner.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caraway, Teri L. 2004. “Inclusion and Democratization: Class, Gender, Race, and the Extension of Suffrage.” Comparative Politics 36 (4): 443–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clift, Eleanor, and Brazaitis, Tom. 2003. Madam President: Women Blazing the Leadership Trail. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Cox-Han, Lori, and Heldman, Caroline, eds. 2007. Rethinking Madame President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House? Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darcy, R., Welch, Susan, and Clark, Janet. 1987. Women, Elections, and Representation. New York: Longman.Google Scholar
Davis, Sue. 1997. Women and Power in Parliamentary Democracies: Cabinet Appointments in Western Europe, 1968–1992. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.Google Scholar
Duerst-Lahti, Georgia. 1997. “Reconceiving Theories of Power: Consequences of Masculinism in the Executive Branch.” In The Other Elites, ed. Borelli, MaryAnne and Martin, Janet M.. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 11–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duerst-Lahti, Georgia. 2006. “Presidential Elections: Gendered Space and the Case of 2004.” In Gender and Elections: Shaping the Future of American Politics, ed. Carroll, Susan J. and Fox, Richard L.. New York: Cambridge University Press, 12–42.Google Scholar
Duerst-Lahti, Georgia, and Kelly, Rita Mae, eds. 1996. Gender, Power, Leadership and Governance. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.Google Scholar
Duverger, Maurice. 1955. The Political Role of Women. Paris: UNESCO.Google Scholar
Everett, Jana. 1993. “Indira Gandhi and the Exercise of Power.” In Women as National Leaders, ed. Genovese, Michael A.. London: Sage, 103–34.Google Scholar
Genovese, Michael A., and Thompson, Seth. 1993. “Women as Chief Executives: Does Gender Matter?” In Women as National Leaders, ed. Genovese, Michael A.. London: Sage, 1–12.Google Scholar
Henderson, Sarah L., and Jeydel, Alana S.. 2007. Participation and Protest: Women and Politics in a Global World. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Hodson, Piper. 1997. “Routes to Power: An Examination of Political Change, Rulership, and Women's Access to Executive Office” In The Other Elites, ed. Borelli, MaryAnne and Martin, Janet M.. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 33–47.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Inglehart, Ronald, and Norris, Pippa. 2003. The Rising Tide: Gender Equality and Cultural Change Around the World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jalalzai, Farida. 2004. “Women Leaders: Past and Present.” Women & Politics 26 (3/4): 85–108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, Jeffrey M. 2007. “Some Americans Reluctant to Vote for Mormon, 72-Year-Old Presidential Candidates.” February 20. http://www.gallup.com/poll/26611/Some-Americans-Reluctant-Vote-Mormon-72YearOld-Presidential-Candidates.aspx (February 18, 2008).Google Scholar
Jones, Jeffrey M., and Moore, David W.. 2003. “Generational Differences in Support for a Woman President.” Gallup Report, June 17. http://www.gallup.com/poll/8656/Generational-Differences-Support-WomanPresident.aspx (February 18, 2008). Kenworthy, Lane, and Melissa Malami. 1999. “Gender Inequality in Political Representation.” Social Forces 78 (1): 235–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kesselman, Mark, Krieger, Joel, and Joseph, William A.. 2004. Introduction to Comparative Politics. 3d ed.Boston: Houghton Mifflin.Google Scholar
Lawless, Jennifer. 2004. “Women, War and Winning Elections: Gender Stereotyping and the Post September 11th Era.” Political Research Quarterly 57 (3): 479–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liswood, Laura A. 1995. Women World Leaders. London: Pandora.Google Scholar
Lovenduski, Joni, and Norris, Pippa, eds. 1993. Gender and Party Politics. London: Sage.Google Scholar
Mansbridge, Jane. 1999. “Should Blacks Represent Blacks and Women Represent Women? A Contingent Yes.” Journal of Politics 61 (3): 628–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Matland, Richard E. 1998a. “Women's Representation in National Legislatures: Developed and Developing Countries.” Legislative Studies Quarterly 23 (1): 109–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Matland, Richard E. 1998b. “Enhancing Women's Political Participation: Legislative Recruitment and Electoral Systems. In Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers, ed. Karam, Azza. Stockholm: International IDEA, 65–86.Google Scholar
Neustadt, Richard. 1990. Presidential Power and the Modern Presidency: The Politics of Leadership from Roosevelt to Reagan. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Opfell, Olga S. 1993. Women Prime Ministers and Presidents. Jefferson, NC: McFarland.Google Scholar
Reynolds, Andrew. 1999. “Women in the Legislatures and Executives of the World: Knocking at the Highest Glass Ceiling.” World Politics 51 (4): 547–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richter, Linda K. 1991. “Explaining Theories of Female Leadership in South and South East Asia.” Pacific Affairs 63 (4): 524–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saint-Germain, Michelle A. 1993. “Women in Power in Nicaragua: Myth and Reality.” In Women as National Leaders, ed. Genovese, Michael A.. London: Sage, 70–102.Google Scholar
Siaroff, Alan. 2000. “Women's Representation in Legislatures and Cabinets in Industrial Democracies.” International Political Science Review 21 (2): 197–215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siaroff, Alan. 2003. “Comparative Presidencies: The Inadequacy of the Presidential, Semi-Presidential and Parliamentary Distinction.” European Journal of Political Research 42 (3): 287–312.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Staudt, Kathleen. 1998. Policy, Politics & Gender: Women Gaining Ground. West Hartford, CT: Kumarian.Google Scholar
Streb, Matthew J., Burrell, Barbara, Frederick, Brian and Genovese, Michael A. 2006. “Social Desirability Effects and Support for a Female American President.” Paper presented at the American Democracy Workshop. http://americandemocracy.nd.edu/workshops/documents/StrebPaper.pdf (June 15, 2007).Google Scholar
Thompson, Seth. 1993. “Golda Meir: A Very Public Life.” In Women as National Leaders, ed. Genovese, Michael A.. London: Sage, 135–60.Google Scholar
Watson, Robert P. and Gordon, Ann, eds. 2003. Anticipating Madame President. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weir, Sara J. 1993. “Perónisma: Isabel Perón and the Politics of Argentina.” In Women as National Leaders, ed. Genovese, Michael A.. London: Sage, 161–75.Google Scholar

Websites

Constitution Finder, http://confinder.richmond.edu/Google Scholar
Inter-Parliamentary Union, http://www.ipu.org/english/home.htmGoogle Scholar
Polity IV Project, http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/polity/Google Scholar
Polity IV 2003 Report, http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/polity/country_reports/report.htmGoogle Scholar
United Nations Development Program Human Development Reports, http://hdr.undp.org/default.cfmGoogle Scholar
United Nations, http://www.un.org/english/Google Scholar
Women World Leaders, http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/00women.htmGoogle Scholar
Worldfactbook, http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.htmlGoogle Scholar
Inter-Parliamentary Union. 1995. Women in Parliaments 1945–1995: A World Statistical Survey. IPU: Geneva.Google Scholar

Websites

Constitution Finder, http://confinder.richmond.edu/Google Scholar
Inter-Parliamentary Union, http://www.ipu.org/english/home.htmGoogle Scholar
Polity IV Project, http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/polity/Google Scholar
Polity IV 2003 Report, http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/polity/country_reports/report.htmGoogle Scholar
United Nations Development Program Human Development Reports, http://hdr.undp.org/default.cfmGoogle Scholar
United Nations, http://www.un.org/english/Google Scholar
Women World Leaders, http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/00women.htmGoogle Scholar
Worldfactbook, http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.htmlGoogle Scholar

Other Sources:

Inter-Parliamentary Union. 1995. Women in Parliaments 1945–1995: A World Statistical Survey. IPU: Geneva.Google Scholar