Dissertation:
The main argument of the dissertation is that party gatekeepers form a significant barrier to women’s representation in party-controlled candidate selection processes. Further than what the literature identifies, I argue that these barriers are magnified by the variation in interest among different levels of party gatekeepers. When candidate selection is controlled by different levels of party members the interest that drive selection are at odds with a combined outcome that is especially difficult for women candidates. Party members at the local level are highly motivated by the potential financial gain whereas members of the political elite are driven by the potential network connections. While these barriers are persistent for male candidates, the unique combination of both financial and network obstacles compound existing barriers that women experience in the socio-cultural environment of sub-Saharan Africa. Potential male aspirants This dissertation demonstrates that while women are making significant headway in with voters, the compilation of party members in candidate selection significantly holds women back from achieving elected office.
The main argument of the dissertation is that party gatekeepers form a significant barrier to women’s representation in party-controlled candidate selection processes. Further than what the literature identifies, I argue that these barriers are magnified by the variation in interest among different levels of party gatekeepers. When candidate selection is controlled by different levels of party members the interest that drive selection are at odds with a combined outcome that is especially difficult for women candidates. Party members at the local level are highly motivated by the potential financial gain whereas members of the political elite are driven by the potential network connections. While these barriers are persistent for male candidates, the unique combination of both financial and network obstacles compound existing barriers that women experience in the socio-cultural environment of sub-Saharan Africa. Potential male aspirants This dissertation demonstrates that while women are making significant headway in with voters, the compilation of party members in candidate selection significantly holds women back from achieving elected office.
Working Papers and Chapters:
Democratization and Gender Politics in Africa, with Martha Johnson
This book chapter considers the relationship between democracy and women’s political representation in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on existing studies, it demonstrates that political openings facilitated autonomous women’s mobilization in Africa, which helped improve women’s representation in legislative and executive office. However, this pattern occurred primarily in countries that adopted quotas, even if they remained relatively authoritarian or embraced an illiberal form of democracy. While women’s mobilization, particularly in post-conflict situations, contributed to quota adoption, elections were not required. By contrast, although the chapter emphasizes quotas’ limitations, in their absence, elections may not suffice to ensure women’s representation. Women in African politics face biases among party leaders that make it difficult to secure party nominations and support, socio-economic limitations that make it difficult for them to qualify for public office and finance their campaigns, and cultural discrimination that makes campaigning difficult, even risky. Ensuring women’s success in competitive elections requires attention all three constraints. Finally, the chapter calls for additional research on the substantive impact of women’s presence in political office, as well as the role of women in local elected bodies, the bureaucracy, and the judiciary.
Party Building and Politician Defection in Zambia, with Leonardo Arriola, Danny Choi, Justine Davis, Lise Rakner, and Ingvild Skage.We examine the party affiliation preferences of parliamentary candidates in Zambia. We find that candidates who are business owners with multiple organizational linkages are not only the most likely to be recruited by parties, but they are also the most likely to defect between parties. Despite such weak partisan attachments, we also find that candidates prefer to join strong national parties with developed organizational structures for leadership selection.
Democratization and Gender Politics in Africa, with Martha Johnson
This book chapter considers the relationship between democracy and women’s political representation in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on existing studies, it demonstrates that political openings facilitated autonomous women’s mobilization in Africa, which helped improve women’s representation in legislative and executive office. However, this pattern occurred primarily in countries that adopted quotas, even if they remained relatively authoritarian or embraced an illiberal form of democracy. While women’s mobilization, particularly in post-conflict situations, contributed to quota adoption, elections were not required. By contrast, although the chapter emphasizes quotas’ limitations, in their absence, elections may not suffice to ensure women’s representation. Women in African politics face biases among party leaders that make it difficult to secure party nominations and support, socio-economic limitations that make it difficult for them to qualify for public office and finance their campaigns, and cultural discrimination that makes campaigning difficult, even risky. Ensuring women’s success in competitive elections requires attention all three constraints. Finally, the chapter calls for additional research on the substantive impact of women’s presence in political office, as well as the role of women in local elected bodies, the bureaucracy, and the judiciary.
Party Building and Politician Defection in Zambia, with Leonardo Arriola, Danny Choi, Justine Davis, Lise Rakner, and Ingvild Skage.We examine the party affiliation preferences of parliamentary candidates in Zambia. We find that candidates who are business owners with multiple organizational linkages are not only the most likely to be recruited by parties, but they are also the most likely to defect between parties. Despite such weak partisan attachments, we also find that candidates prefer to join strong national parties with developed organizational structures for leadership selection.