Women Legislators in Central America: Politics, Democracy, and Policy [Paperback]

Michelle A. Saint-Germain (Author), Cynthia Chavez Metoyer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0292717172 | ISBN-13: 978-0292717176 | Publication Date: February 1, 2008

During the years between 1980 and 1999, in the midst of war and economic crisis, a record number of women were elected to national legislatures in Central American republics. Can quantitative increases in the presence of elected women in Central America produce qualitative political changes? In this detailed study, Michelle A. Saint-Germain and Cynthia Chavez Metoyer explore the reasons for this unprecedented political rise of women, and what effect it has had on the region. Focusing on Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, the authors analyze national and regional indicators to evaluate various hypotheses concerning the reasons for women's electoral success in the region, as well as to make comparisons with findings from other world regions. They find that the election of more women depends on three things: the presence of a crisis, a pool of politically experienced women, and a culture of gender consciousness. They also compare the characteristics of Central American women legislators to women in other national legislatures around the world. The authors document how elected women have used their policy-making power to begin to change the lives of all Central Americans, women and men alike. In more than seventy-five in-depth, personal interviews, these women legislators reflect on their lives, political careers, and gender identities in their own words, providing deep insights into recent events in this region.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michelle A. Saint-Germain is Professor of Public Policy and Administration and the campus-wide Director of Program Review and Assessment at California State University, Long Beach.

Cynthia Chavez Metoyer is Professor of Political Science and Department Chair and Internship Coordinator for the Political Science Department at California State University, San Marcos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 356 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292717172
• ISBN-13: 978-0292717176
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,161,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Dribble, May 12, 2011

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byrdicus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women Legislators in Central America: Politics, Democracy, and Policy (Paperback)

One of the worst books I have read. Complete dribble. If authors like these two can get published it makes wonder how publishing companies survive. Weak comparative analyses, evidence was lackadaisical, organizationally flawed and that is just the preface. I do however recommend buying this book to burn so that future generations will never be exposed to the mind-numbing poison in these pages.