Feminizing Politics

Abstract

What are the obstacles to a fair political representation of women? To answer this question it is necessary to consider what else happens in politics when the numbers of women change. Professor Lovenduski's inaugural lecture considers how the political representation of women has been understood, debated and practised in contemporary Britain, paying special attention to the obstacles to women and the masculine culture of party and parliamentary politics. Drawing on new survey and interview research into women politicians a case is made that women's presence can make a difference at Westminster.

Keywords:

• difference
• feminist politics
• gender equality
• justice
• political parties
• political representation
• positive discrimination
• quotas

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joni Lovenduski

This address was delivered as Professor Lovenduski's inaugural lecture at Birkbeck College, University of London, on 7 February 2002