Inspiring Trust in Institutions, Building Political Support

Abstract

In an era where many lament declining levels of political support, it is important to note that the driving forces behind political support may be gendered, albeit in subtle ways. Chapter 6 examines changes in men’s and women’s trust in elections, confidence in democratic institutions, and support for democracy in Uruguay. We find that the visible and sizable jump in women’s election to office in Uruguay fortifies women’s political connections. Before the election, there were few differences between men and women on most dimensions of political support. After the election, however, women’s political support ascends higher than men’s levels, and in most instances this gender gap becomes statistically significant. On balance, men’s political support does not appear to change much after the election; instead, it is women who are driving these changes.