Feminizing Politics

'It is hard to think of a gender-neutral equivalent of the word "masterly". So I have no alternative but to describe Joni Lovenduski's book as a masterly exploration of how the male world of politics is becoming feminized. With skill and thoughtfulness, she guides us through the meanings of claims for the greater presence of women in politics, the institutions through which change processes are taking place and how we might judge whether something different has emerged or is emerging. The book is beautifully written and will be enjoyed not only in the academy, but by all citizens who care about how we are represented.'

Elizabeth Meehan, Queen's University, Belfast

'Well-written, compelling and thoroughly theorized, Feminizing Politics is a sophisticated treatment of women's political representation, both of women and by women in parliament. Written as an intervention in the debate about how to achieve women's political representation in Britain, Feminizing Politics speaks beyond the British case to issues of comparability across nations, specific parliamentary contexts, critical mass and women's policy issues. Joni Lovenduski examines gender realignment, party quotas for women, and the institutional resistance to women in parliament, presenting a sombre but not pessimistic assessment of the impact of large numbers of new women in the 1997 House of Commons.'

Karen Beckwith, The College of Wooster, Ohio

'This highly readable book offers a useful overview of key issues regarding the role of women in politics today, especially Britain. ...This book, aimed at students and scholars of comparative politics and gender studies, as well as the general reader, is an excellent starting point for those who wish to explore the theme of women and politics in Britain today.'

June Purvis, Times Higher Education Supplement, 27 May 2005

'Feminizing Politics is a useful resource for politics students and anyone interested in the advance of women through the political system in the UK and elsewhere, as it is accessible and clearly written in a reader-friendly style ... A particular strength of the book lies in the combination of a historical perspective on the issue of feminism and political representation with a wide-ranging discussion of the contemporary situation which is truly global in its geographical scope'

Jane Martin, Gender and Education, January 2007