Why are women less democratic than men? Evidence from sub-saharan African countries

Type Journal Article - World Development
Title Why are women less democratic than men? Evidence from sub-saharan African countries
Author(s)
Volume 59
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Page numbers 104-119
URL http://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.01.005
Abstract
A substantial literature has examined the determinants of support for democracy and although existing work has found a gender gap in democratic attitudes, there have been no attempts to explain it. In this paper we try to understand why females are less supportive of democracy than males in a number of countries. Using data for 20 Sub-Saharan African countries, we test whether the gap is due to individual differences previously ignored or to country-wide characteristics. We find that controlling for individual characteristics does not offset the gender gap, but our results indicate that the gap is eroded by high levels of human development and political rights.

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