Prior to publication there had been little study of the political role of women. Gender had been seen only as a background variable in social surveys of political behaviour, and women had rarely been extensively or separately considered. Now, in essays specially written for this volume, first published in 1981, the authors map out the political behaviour of women in twenty 'industrially developed' countries, bringing together and analysing contemporary material on a variety of topics, such as voting, standing for public office, entering the political elite, and engaging in political activity outside the formal structures of government. In each chapter the history of women's political activity is outlined, from the first movements for female suffrage and emancipation to the new political involvement occasioned by the women's movements of the 1970s. The impact of differing political systems on the experience of women is considered, and some striking similarities and differences are pointed out. It has been generally agreed that women's participation in politics has been less than that of men, although reasons postulated for this have varied widely. The essays in this book offer further suggestions in this area, while charting a steady increase in activity by women in all political spheres as feminism politicises issues previously restricted to private or male-dominated spheres and women become increasingly concerned to participate in the political process. The authors indicate current trends and explode prevailing myths and the 'second electorate', and they suggest future possibilities, both for Political Woman and the Political Science which must take account of feminist political activity. Students of social and political science, readers seeking comprehensive, cross-national coverage of party and election data, and all interested women will find the book to be a mine of information and a rare and readable picture of half the world's electorate.

Prior to publication there had been little study of the political role of women. Gender had been seen only as a background variable in social surveys of political behaviour, and women had rarely been extensively or separately considered. Now, in essays specially written for this volume, first published in 1981, the authors map out the political behaviour of women in twenty 'industrially developed' countries, bringing together and analysing contemporary material on a variety of topics, such as voting, standing for public office, entering the political elite, and engaging in political activity outside the formal structures of government. In each chapter the history of women's political activity is outlined, from the first movements for female suffrage and emancipation to the new political involvement occasioned by the women's movements of the 1970s. The impact of differing political systems on the experience of women is considered, and some striking similarities and differences are pointed out. It has been generally agreed that women's participation in politics has been less than that of men, although reasons postulated for this have varied widely. The essays in this book offer further suggestions in this area, while charting a steady increase in activity by women in all political spheres as feminism politicises issues previously restricted to private or male-dominated spheres and women become increasingly concerned to participate in the political process. The authors indicate current trends and explode prevailing myths and the 'second electorate', and they suggest future possibilities, both for Political Woman and the Political Science which must take account of feminist political activity. Students of social and political science, readers seeking comprehensive, cross-national coverage of party and election data, and all interested women will find the book to be a mine of information and a rare and readable picture of half the world's electorate.

How can women maximise their political influence? Does state feminism enhance the political representation of women? Should feminism be established in state institutions to treat women's concerns? Written by experts in the field, this 2005 book uses an innovative model of political influence to construct answers to these and other questions in the long-running debate over the political representation of women. The book assesses how states respond to women's demands for political representation both in terms of their inclusion as actors and the consideration of their interests in the decision making process. Debates on the issue vary from country to country, depending on institutional structures, women's movements and other factors, and this book offered the first comparative account of the subject. The authors analyse eleven democracies in Europe and North America and present comprehensive research from the 1960s to the present.

Before the 1980s, women were written out of much of European political science, largely wilfully, on the grounds they had no separate or different political life from men. Joni Lovenduski was one of the feminists who attempted to change the perception that women were political minors, providing evidence of their attitudes and participation as well as rethinking the discipline to accommodate gender relations. This book is a collection of some of the essays that attempted to correct that bias, and includes new introductory and concluding essays that reflect on what has changed in the course of the years.

In this compelling book Pippa Norris and Joni Lovenduski provide the first full account of legislative recruitment in Britain for twenty-five years. Their central concern is how and why some politicians succeed in moving into the highest offices of state, while others fail. The book examines the relative dearth of women, black and working-class Members of Parliament, and whether the evident social bias in the British political elite matters for political representation. Legislative recruitment concerns the critical step from lower levels (activists, local counsellors) to a parliamentary career. The authors draw evidence from the first systematic surveys of parliamentary candidates, Members of Parliament and party selectors, as well as detailed personal interviews. The study explores how and why people become politicians, and the consequences for parties, legislatures and representative government.

How can women maximise their political influence? Does state feminism enhance the political representation of women? Should feminism be established in state institutions to treat women's concerns? Written by experts in the field, this 2005 book uses an innovative model of political influence to construct answers to these and other questions in the long-running debate over the political representation of women. The book assesses how states respond to women's demands for political representation both in terms of their inclusion as actors and the consideration of their interests in the decision making process. Debates on the issue vary from country to country, depending on institutional structures, women's movements and other factors, and this book offered the first comparative account of the subject. The authors analyse eleven democracies in Europe and North America and present comprehensive research from the 1960s to the present.

The New Politics of Abortion compares the reactions of eight Western political systems to demands for abortion legislation. The abortion issue is not easily integrated into party doctrines and consequently has been marginalized except where effective pressure groups have intervened. Examining the experience of Europe and the US in the last two decades, the contributors draw the surprising conclusion that the effect of abortion legislation has in many respects been minimal. The availability of abortion is ultimately dependent less on the law than on the existence of good medical facilities.