It Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don't Run for Office - Softcover

Lawless, Jennifer L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052167414X ISBN 13: 9780521674140

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2005

Synopsis

It Takes a Candidate serves as the first systematic, nationwide empirical account of the manner in which gender affects political ambition. Based on data from the Citizen Political Ambition Study, a national survey conducted on almost 3,800 'potential candidates', we find that women, even in the highest tiers of professional accomplishment, are substantially less likely than men to demonstrate ambition to seek elected office. Women are less likely than men to be recruited to run for office. They are less likely than men to think they are 'qualified' to run for office. And they are less likely than men to express a willingness to run for office in the future. This gender gap in political ambition persists across generations. Despite cultural evolution and society's changing attitudes toward women in politics, running for public office remains a much less attractive and feasible endeavor for women than men.

About this title

Review:

' ... an excellent contribution to the study of gender and US politics and provides insight into the subtle socialization processes that underlie and reinforce the structural factors commonly analyzed in discussions of women's political representation in the USA.' International Feminist Journal of Politics

Book Description:

Serving as the first systematic, nationwide empirical account of the manner in which gender affects political ambition, and based on data from the Citizen Political Ambition Study, a national survey conducted on almost 3,800 potential candidates, this looks at why women are less likely than men to demonstrate political ambition.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 052167414X
• ISBN 13: 9780521674140
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 220