Task 1: Empirical Testing of the Project's Main Hypotheses
The primary objective of Task 1 is to empirically test the hypothesis that a gender gap exists in political seniority across various time periods, countries, and political systems. Our research has provided strong evidence supporting this hypothesis, revealing a significant gender gap among the most senior members of legislatures in Western democracies. The gender gaps have been shrinking the last decades, but they are still large. Interestingly, in a country like Norway, where the gender gap in the National Assembly is relatively small, we observe larger gaps in local assemblies among the most senior representatives. Gender is also significantly affecting the number of wins local representatives have accumulated, so that being woman is negatively associated with number of wins. This work has also inspired us to study the drivers of high seniority levels in western democracies in more general and we have identified certain institutional features that make it conducive for representatives to return multiple times. Two publications on this finding have already been released, with more in progress.
To test this key hypothesis, we engaged in extensive conceptual discussions with other scholars to define the concepts that best articulate our study and to develop precise definitions and measures of seniority, an area previously underexplored. We constructed a comprehensive dataset containing individual-level data on representatives from 22 countries over several decades. We are grateful to the scholars who shared their data and to the civil servants who provided data in some countries. Our aim is to make this dataset openly accessible to other researchers towards the end of the project and to build an index of gender gaps in political seniority. Additionally, we have examined seniority levels without a gender lens to explain differences across countries and years. While some countries maintain high levels of senior parliamentarians despite recent electoral shocks, others see a decline in seniors amid debates on professionalism and elitism in politics.
Task 2: Building a Theory on Tenure Length as a Source of Power
Task 2 focuses on developing a theoretical framework explaining how and why tenure length in elected assemblies is a source of power. To gain better insights, we conducted interviews with parliamentarians in France, Italy, Norway, and Algeria. The dynamics of power in legislatures are particularly well-illustrated in France. Additionally, we conducted a survey among representatives at all levels of government in Norway and are analyzing several hundred open-ended responses regarding attributes associated with long tenure. Although the question of power is partly addressed in papers under publication for Task 1, papers that look more into his will be presented at conferences in Europe and the United States in the upcoming months (Summer and Autumn 2024).
Task 3: Explaining the Drivers of Gender Gaps in Political Careers
Task 3 seeks to explain the factors driving gender gaps in political careers, a topic that has garnered significant scholarly attention in gender and politics. Our contribution to ongoing debates emphasizes that even small gender differences in career length can significantly impact the share of women among the most senior members of elected assemblies. We employ mixed methods to develop theories on how institutional, cultural, strategic, and personal factors affect career length. Recently, we conducted several survey experiments to understand the mechanisms sustaining and ending political careers. Qualitative interviews have been carried out in Norway, France, Italy, and Algeria, with a follow-up study planned for the UK in 2025.
Task 4: Developing Theories on the Importance of Gender Gaps in Political Seniority
Task 4 aims to develop theories on why gender gaps in political seniority matter. While task 1 and 2 focus on explaining why gender gaps occurs, this section expands the work on power and investigates the consequences of gender gaps. Hence, if we find in task 2 that term length and having accumulated enough terms to be considered a senior is a source of power, then what is the consequence of gender gaps in term length?
This task then requires that we build on our own and existing work that explains why tenure length is a source of power. By understanding the implications of these gaps, we can better assess their impact on the quality and legitimacy of democratic processes. This is an activity that is planned for 2025 and 2026, although work on the other tasks put us in a position to carry out this type of research.
