Thematic Section
Development (2007) 50, 36–42. doi:10.1057/palgrave.development.1100333
Designing for Equality: Women's quotas and women's political participation
Stina Larserud and Rita Taphorn
Abstract
Stina Larserud and Rita Taphorn ask whether a society excluding over 50 per cent of its members – women – can be deemed democratic. Is it enough to hold elections if the elections are yielding results that are in no way gender representative? Are any electoral processes – with or without quotas – gender neutral? These questions need to be answered in order to discuss and design electoral provisions that enable women's representation and political participation.
Keywords:
positive discrimination, political representation, electoral systems






