Gender Differences in the Impact of Winning on Satisfaction with Democracy

• In Event: Democratic Satisfaction, Leaders, and Mobilization: Fresh Insights from CSES

Abstract

It is well known that individuals who voted for the winning party in an election tend to be more satisfied with democracy than those who did not. However, a number of recent studies—some using data from the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems—show that this relationship varies according to individual- and election-level factors. In this study, we introduce for the first time gender as a modifier of the effect of winning on satisfaction. We advance a theoretical argument about why gender, independent of its many correlates, should shape the extent to which electoral victory induces satisfaction. Specifically, we argue that the winning effect should be smaller for women than for men because of (1) gender-based differences in political socialization, and (2) gaps in the symbolic connection with candidates and parties. Given this, the gender gap in satisfaction may also be moderated by interest in politics and party identification. To test our expectations, we use surveys from Modules I-IV of the CSES. Results indicate a robust and precisely estimated disparity in the impact of winning on satisfaction, with the magnitude being comparatively small among women. Subsequent empirical investigations of our proposed theoretical mechanisms attest to their veracity.

Authors

• Shane P. Singh, University of Georgia

• Neil S Williams, University of Georgia