Louise Halberg Nielsen

Women have had formal political rights equal to men for more than a century in countries such as Denmark and the United States. Nonetheless, fewer women than men can imagine running for political office. Understanding this gender gap in political ambition is crucial, as it challenges democratic ideals of equal inclusion and representation. In this dissertation, I set out to investigate why women do not aspire to run for office. I advance the argument that women’s perceptions of the political environment – such as perceptions of gendered barriers towards women running for office – can influence women’s desire to enter politics. I also argue that politicians, as exemplars of the political environment, may shape women's perceptions of running for office and their desire to run for office. Politicians can act as role models, signaling that women can succeed in politics, but they may also serve as cautionary examples when they exemplify the costs of political engagement, such as online harassment. I investigate these arguments through three empirical studies in Denmark and the United States. The findings of these studies show, firstly, that women’s perceptions of gendered barriers towards running for office play into their considerations about running for office. Secondly, politicians can change women’s perceptions of running for office by serving as exemplars of the political environment. The results imply that structural changes of the political environment, such as reducing online harassment and countering gendered barriers, may be an effective way of increasing women’s ambition to run for political office.

PDF