Review
“...Kendrigan asks two basic questions--what do feminists want from politics, and what is a useful definition of equality? To answer these, she draws on an extensive base of research literature that documents myriad ways in which women are discriminated against in politics. She then proposes two major solutions--women must represent themselves in political life, and they must define equality as equality of results, not equality of oppportunity. Kendrigan shows that neither of these conditions exists now.... This inequality does not result from individual behavior as much as it reflects institutional functioning--social stratification, institutional racism, and institutional sexism--all of which Kendrigan documents. At times Kendrigan makes statements about men's and women's condition in the US that seem exaggerated, but usually her points are firmly girded by research. ... She writes well and concisely, and she has supplied a 20-page bibliography.... This book is recommended highly for courses in women's studies, political sociology, and political science.”–Choice
“This book is a good starting point for one seeking a concise survey of current literature on women and conventional politics, feminist theory, and the economic and social status of American women. The author takes the position that politics is both a significant source of current discrimination against women and a potential avenue to redress. Political participation can result in greater political equality, but such tools are of limited use in effecting changes in inequalities based in employment stratification, familial roles, or the basic socialization process. A major strength of the book rests with its argument for an equality defined in terms of equal results.”–Political Science Quarterly
“This book is a good starting point for one seeking a concise survey of current literature on women and conventional politics, feminist theory, and the economic and social status of American women. The author takes the position that politics is both a significant source of current discrimination against women and a potential avenue to redress. Political participation can result in greater political equality, but such tools are of limited use in effecting changes in inequalities based in employment stratification, familial roles, or the basic socialization process. A major strength of the book rests with its argument for an equality defined in terms of equal results.”–
