Resolving the Democracy Paradox: Democratization and Women’s Legislative Representation in Developing Nations, 1975–2009

This article investigates the relationship between democratization and women’s legislative representation in developing countries between 1975 and 2009. The authors address the “democracy paradox,” whereby democratic transitions do not always increase women’s political representation. Using cross-national statistical analysis, the study finds that democratization can improve women’s representation under certain institutional and political conditions, particularly when women’s movements and gender quotas are present.