Exam 9: Women and Politics

The United Nations estimates that women need to constitute at least 30 percent of a legislative body in order to exert a meaningful influence on politics.This 30 percent threshold is sometimes called ________.

The first three female heads of state were elected to office,and served their first terms,in the ________.

In the context of the types of electoral systems,identify a characteristic of plurality/majority systems.

Most available evidence suggests that women,more than men,favor liberal or left-wing parties.

Obtaining voting rights for women,or women's suffrage,was a major aim of the early feminist movement.Although the nineteenth amendment was passed in ________,some women were still restricted from participating in the electoral process.For example,Native American women were not allowed to vote until ________.

In the context of the types of gender quotas,identify a true statement about legislated candidate quotas.

There are many explanations for gender inequality in political representation.However,most of these reasons can be placed into one of two categories: ideological or cultural explanations and structural or institutional explanations.Briefly describe and provide an example for each of these categories.Also,discuss some of the steps that can be taken to increase female representation in politics along with criticisms that such steps commonly face.

Which of the following statements about gender quotas in the political sphere is true?

Although relatively rare,powerful female leaders,or rulers,can be found throughout history; examples include all of the following,EXCEPT:

The realm of formal politics includes local community-based action and national and international social movements.

The representation of women in politics is important for both symbolic and practical reasons.Use specific examples to explain what this means.Be sure to discuss ways in which female legislators are able to make a difference in the political realm without directly influencing policy.

Simply having the legal right to vote does not always ensure that women can or will do so.Describe some of the non-legal barriers that stand in the way of women participating in the electoral process.Be sure to explain the roles of coercion,political literacy,and economics.

As traditional gender roles wane in a country,women's voting patterns shift from being more conservative to becoming more liberal than men's.This process is called ________.

According to West and Blumberg,sometimes women's informal political activity is an extension of their mother role.

Zipper systems have legislated candidate quotas requiring a certain percentage of women on party lists,along with the alternation of male and female candidates.

As of 2010,no woman has ever won the Nobel Peace Prize.

In the United States,government cabinet members are called secretaries.

District magnitude refers to the number of seats a party expects to win in a district.

Political literacy refers to women's knowledge of politics and the political process.

There are three types of electoral systems,each with different effects on women's election to national legislative office.Which of the following is NOT one of the three types of electoral systems?