Preferences for and perceptions about politicians’ goals and how they impact women’s and men’s political ambition

Abstract

Women consistently report lower levels of nascent political ambition than men, which causes problems for the recruitment of women in politics. The aim of this study is to better understand the mechanisms behind this gender gap by simultaneously studying the extent to which gender differences in preferences for and perceptions about the typical goals attained through a political career (power, independence and communal goals) can explain gender differences in political ambition. Using data collected among Belgian political and social sciences students (N = 322), our results provide a strong confirmation of the gender gap in political ambition. We also find substantial gender differences in preferences for and perceptions about goals pursued through political careers. However, these individual-level differences in preferences and perceptions only marginally reduce the gender gap in political ambition, emphasising the need for active political recruitment.<br />Key messages<ul><li>There is a gender gap in political ambition, even among political and social sciences students.</li><br /><li>Women are less attracted to the independence and power goals of a political mandate than men.</li><br /><li>Women are interested in achieving communal goals but believe that they are not central to a political mandate.</li><br /><li>Preferences for and perceptions about power goals explain political ambition but not the gender gap.</li></ul>

Gender Gaps in Political Ambition on Different Levels of Policy-Making

“…A necessary prerequisite to aspire to a political office is at least some level of (nascent) political ambition, and research consistently finds a clear and strong gender gap in political ambition: women tend to have lower levels of such ambition than men (Allen & Cutts, 2020;Coffé et al, 2022;Dahl & Nyrup, 2021;Kanthak & Woon, 2015;Lawless & Fox, 2010). As rational actors, women, just like men, consider whether the circumstances are conducive to their entry in politics.…”

“…Nascent political ambition indicates the intention to run for office without reference to a particular candidacy for a specific election and is a necessary condition for expressed ambition (Bernhard, Shames, & Teele, 2021). Research has consistently shown that women have lower levels of nascent political ambition than men (Allen & Cutts, 2020;Coffé, Devroe, Vandeleene, & Wauters, 2022;Dahl & Nyrup, 2021;Kanthak & Woon, 2015;Lawless & Fox, 2010), which causes problems for the recruitment of women for a political mandate.…”

“…To answer our research question, we organised an original online survey among a representative sample of young Flemish citizens (aged 18-35). 2 Our sample thus focuses on young people, where political ambition is most relevant and includes a broader group of respondents in terms of educational and occupational background compared with many previous studies, often based on data collected among university students and/or citizens with higher levels of education or occupation (Coffé et al, 2022;Lawless & Fox, 2013;Shames, 2017). As such, we hope to get an in-depth understanding of gender differences in political ambition among the whole young population.…”