Global Diffusion of Democracy, Globalization and Disempowerment of Women: Multilevel Growth Models

• In Event: 261 - Section on Political Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 14. Structural Roots and Political Outcomes

Abstract

The impact of the worldwide diffusion of democracy and globalization on women relative to men is rarely studied in a comparative way and on a large scale. This study, using multilevel growth models, provides such systematic estimates of impact of democratization and globalization on women relative to men across the world and across regions of developed, semi-developed, underdeveloped and post-communist countries from 1970-2005. The analysis suggests several conclusions. First, when assessed across the world and in highly developed, stable democracies, democracy and globalization are robust predictors of increases in women’s empowerment. Second, the positive impact fades when comparative analyses of semi-developed, underdeveloped and post-communist countries are included. Third, in comparison to the period preceding democratic transition, women’s economic opportunities, schooling, health and life expectancy declines during first generation of transition in all but the most developed countries. Based on the evidence, a greater decline is expected in semi-developed regions rather than in underdeveloped regions. In transitional democracies of former communist bloc, no evident improvement is expected during the first two decades after transition. Fourth, since regional patterns and gender patterns are apparent, this study suggests that comparative, global analyses are only a first approximation of our understanding of the effects of democracy assisted by globalization on societies. The effects are initially negative, especially for women who have a greater variety of societal roles and a more tenuous employment status than men do; a fact that was frequently ignored in previous comparative cross-world studies.

Author

• Barbara Wejnert, University at Buffalo