Seeing Women, Strengthening Democracy

Abstract

Across the globe today, policymakers debate the merits of measures intended to increase women’s numerical representation in political institutions. This chapter notes the ways that our research speaks to policymakers: while the passage of gender quotas may not have an effect on citizens, the resultant gains in the number of women—if visible—will. We demonstrate that descriptive representation matters for citizen engagement with and support for the democratic process. We also assess the sustainability of the effects of a one-time jump in women’s representation in positions of power. We conclude with a note of caution, offering scenarios that could lead to the erosion of political connections. Identifying areas for future research, we discuss potential reforms for enduring gender equity in mass-level connections with the democratic process.