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From Thin to Thick Representation: How a Female President Shapes Female Parliamentary Behavior

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  • WAHMAN, MICHAEL
  • FRANTZESKAKIS, NIKOLAOS
  • YILDIRIM, TEVFIK MURAT

Abstract

How does the symbolic power of a female president affect female parliamentary behavior? Whereas female descriptive representation has increased around the world, women parliamentarians still face significant discrimination and stereotyping, inhibiting their ability to have a real voice and offer “thick” representation to women voters. We leverage the case of Malawi, a case where the presidency changed hands from a man to a woman through a truly exogenous shock, to study the effect of a female president on female parliamentary behavior. Drawing on unique parliamentary transcripts data, we argue and show that women MPs under a female president become empowered and less confined to stereotypical gendered issue-ownership patterns, leading to a significant increase in female MP speech making. Our results directly address theories of symbolic representation by focusing particularly on intraelite role-model effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Wahman, Michael & Frantzeskakis, Nikolaos & Yildirim, Tevfik Murat, 2021. "From Thin to Thick Representation: How a Female President Shapes Female Parliamentary Behavior," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 115(2), pages 360-378, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:115:y:2021:i:2:p:360-378_3
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