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Gender Equality and Populist Upsurge

Project description

Gender equality and the rise of the populist right parties

Increasing gender equality, gender policies, and the salience of gender issues characterise our societies. However, populist radical right (PRR) parties are on the rise in contemporary Western societies. Is this due to a cultural backlash? The MSCA-funded GEPU project examines the link between gender equality, cultural dynamics, and electoral outcomes, specifically focusing on the rise of PRR parties in Western societies. It concentrates on Italy and Spain, analysing parties such as Fratelli d’Italia and Vox, Lega. The project estimates the impact of electing a female mayor, assesses the effect of increased female representation in municipal councils and government, and conducts an online experiment to understand the influence of gender equality information on electoral support for PRR parties.

Objective

"The GEPU (Gender Equality and Populist Upsurge) research project delves into the interplay between gender equality, cultural dynamics, and electoral outcomes, focusing on the rise of populist radical right (PRR) parties in contemporary Western societies. Drawing from the ""cultural backlash theory,"" it investigates whether the increasing gender equality, gender policies, and salience of gender issues have contributed to a cultural backlash affecting the electoral success of PRR parties. Spain and Italy serve as the primary research contexts, examining parties like Spain's Vox and Italy's Lega and Fratelli d’Italia.
The project's central aim is to explore whether the presence of women in politics significantly influences electoral outcomes, specifically the rise in the vote shares of extreme-right parties. It seeks to establish a causal relationship between gender equality and PRR party support. Three specific research objectives guide the study: 1) Estimate the impact of electing a female mayor on extreme-right party vote shares, using a regression discontinuity design; 2) Assess the effect of increased female representation in municipal councils and government, leveraging gender quotas; 3) Conduct an online experiment to understand the influence of gender equality information on electoral support for PRR parties.
The project addresses gaps in economic and political science literature, where gender equality's role in explaining the upsurge of extreme-right parties remains underexplored. It employs a multifaceted methodology, combining quasi-experimental econometric techniques and online experiments, with data from Italy and Spain. The study's findings promise to shed light on the intricate relationship between gender values, political movements, and societal change, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the cultural backlash phenomenon."

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 165 312,96
Address
GRAN VIA DE LES CORTS CATALANES 585
08007 BARCELONA
Spain

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Region
Este Cataluña Barcelona
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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