Abstract
This paper empirically examines associations between female labor force participation (FLFP) and democracy. Using a cross-country,
time series (1980–2005) data set, we find evidence that FLFP is lower in democracies. One possible explanation is that dictators
promote FLFP above what traditional norms would dictate and so a greater freedom to follow custom lowers FLFP. However, we
also find that the ratio of FLFP to male labor force participation (MLFP) is similar under both types of regimes and that
MLFP is also lower in democracies. This outcome casts doubt on the aforementioned explanation. Instead, one possibility is
that both men and women voluntarily withdraw from the labor force with greater freedoms.
time series (1980–2005) data set, we find evidence that FLFP is lower in democracies. One possible explanation is that dictators
promote FLFP above what traditional norms would dictate and so a greater freedom to follow custom lowers FLFP. However, we
also find that the ratio of FLFP to male labor force participation (MLFP) is similar under both types of regimes and that
MLFP is also lower in democracies. This outcome casts doubt on the aforementioned explanation. Instead, one possibility is
that both men and women voluntarily withdraw from the labor force with greater freedoms.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s11205-012-0080-2
- Authors
- Ghazal Bayanpourtehrani, Department of Economics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Kevin Sylwester, Department of Economics, Southern Illinois University, MC 4515, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Journal Social Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1573-0921
- Print ISSN 0303-8300