tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316691008026679454.post2453028397481649112..comments2012-09-19T03:11:49.706-04:00Comments on Politics and Policy in the Tarheel State: Another Way to Look at the 2010 Election OutcomesChris Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12076672250780442810noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316691008026679454.post-84594366789808002682010-12-14T15:09:47.088-05:002010-12-14T15:09:47.088-05:00Great question. Thanks for posting it. I think i...Great question. Thanks for posting it. I think it matters because the research suggests that women act differently when they're in office. They pass different policies, promote different policies and relate to their constituents differently than their male counterparts. I'd call this "substantive" representation. In addition, women in the population feel more efficacious towards government when they see women in office (I'll call this "symbolic representation." <br /><br />I think it's very interesting but not surprising that you don't know many women who want to run for office (neither do I). See this book for a lot more on this subject: http://www.amazon.com/Takes-Candidate-Women-Dont-Office/dp/052167414X<br /><br /> I think women add something to the process, but it's certainly not that any woman will do (I don't think many people--men or women--would make that point). Obviously the quality and qualifications of the candidate matter a great deal. I think 25% is low. Too low in my opinion, but I agree that the percentages are only one indicator (and a very imperfect one) of representation. <br /><br />Thanks again for the comment. Please keep 'em coming.Chris Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12076672250780442810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316691008026679454.post-77917967148834408562010-12-11T00:54:59.662-05:002010-12-11T00:54:59.662-05:00Can you expand on why it is "not good" t...Can you expand on why it is "not good" to have a percentage of women in the NCGA that does not equal their percentage of representation in the general population? I know a lot of women and I can't think of any of them who have an interest in running for office at any level.<br /><br />Does that necessarily have to be "not good" or are percentages all that matter?jhshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16709303887734376717noreply@blogger.com