The Patriarchal Political Order: The Making and Unraveling of the Gendered Participation Gap in India

Soledad Artiz Prillaman's book, "The Patriarchal Political Order," combines qualitative and quantitative data to show how coercive power structures diminish political participation for women in India. She unpacks how dominant men benefit from institutionalizing the household as a unitary political actor, and how women vote to serve the interests of men but stay out of politics more generally. When women come together collectively to demand access to political spaces, they become a formidable foe to the patriarchal political order.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Women in the Global South, particularly in India, participate in elections but remain largely absent from politics throughout the year. In her book, "The Patriarchal Political Order," Soledad Artiz Prillaman conducts a comprehensive analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from over 9,000 women and men in India to unravel the factors that hinder women's political participation. Through her descriptive and causal analysis, Prillaman exposes how coercive power structures diminish women's political engagement. She delves into how dominant men, influenced by patriarchal institutions and norms, benefit from institutionalizing the household as a unitary political actor. Women vote, Prillaman argues, primarily to serve the interests of men, while their involvement in politics is often deterred by the threat it poses to male authority. However, when women come together collectively to demand access to political spaces, they become a formidable force against the patriarchal political order.

"The Patriarchal Political Order" is an eye-opening and inspiring work that deepens our understanding of what it takes to create an inclusive democracy for all. It sheds light on the mechanisms that perpetuate gender inequality and offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for women's political empowerment. By highlighting the experiences and perspectives of women in India, Prillaman's book contributes to a broader global conversation on gender equality and democracy.

In conclusion, "The Patriarchal Political Order" is a groundbreaking work that provides a comprehensive analysis of women's political participation in the Global South, particularly in India. Through her insightful and empathetic approach, Prillaman offers valuable insights into the factors that hinder women's political engagement and demonstrates the potential for collective action to challenge and transform patriarchal power structures. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive and democratic society.

ISBN-13: 9781009355759