This is the first world-wide, comparative study of the controversial new trends of gender quotas now emerging in global politics, presenting a comprehensive overview of changes in women s parliamentary representation across the world.

This is important reading for all those working to increase women s influence in politics, because it scrutinizes under what circumstances gender quotas do increase women s representation and why they sometimes fail.

These distinguished international scholars also show how gender balance in politics has become important to a nation s...