Dilemmas in the Meaning and Measurement of Representation
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This chapter introduces the study of representation of women as a multistage process that can be stalled or derailed due to competing interests, descriptive representation in only some venues, unequal power structures and access, or contradictory political incentive structures. Considering the complexity of the process of representation (incorporating the entire policy process), the chapter presents three propositions about representation of historically under-represented groups, and derives testable implications from each proposition regarding representation of women, or regarding the diversity within the group women. The chapter reviews various meanings of representation of women commonly used in the literature, arguing for the need for a better understanding of the meaning and measurement of women's interests in order to move forward knowledge building about women's representation. The chapter also provides an overview of each chapter in the volume, highlighting their connection to the propositions and implications presented in this chapter.
