Democratic Differences in Gendered Well-Being: Evidence from a Global Sample

• In Event: 40420 - Section on Political Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Politics and Democracy

Abstract

While the debate on whether democracy enhances well-being has gained considerable attention in academic literature, few researchers have explored whether this effect varies by gender. This study examines whether levels of democracy, measured on a continuum, enhance well-being and whether this effect differs by gender. Using data from the Gallup World Poll and Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), and employing multi-level regression analysis, the findings suggest that democracy enhances well-being regardless of a country’s economy or individual socio-economic status. This effect is more pronounced for men, although both men and women report higher levels of well-being with increased levels of democracy. A nuanced analysis of different regime types – closed autocracy, electoral autocracy, electoral democracy, and liberal democracy – shows that increases in democracy scores have the greatest impact in closed autocracies for both men and women, with women benefiting more. However, the positive effect is noticeable across all regime types. These findings highlight the beneficial impact of democracy on well-being, emphasizing the opportunities and values it provides.

Author

• James Sujit Malo, Baylor University