Women and Politics in Western Europe

In this paper I describe the participation of women in formal political organizations in four European countries: Finland, Norway, Great Britain and Spain. I will first give a brief introduction to the study of women in politics and then I will turn to analyzing various aspects, like the electoral systems, voting patterns of women, women's representation in parliaments and governments and the corporate channel, of the political fields in each of these countries. 		 
   

Introduction

"If women are to have any say in the lives they lead they must enter politics." -Fernanda Nissen (1862-1920), Norwegian feminist and politician.

Women all over the world have entered politics, but at various times, to various degrees and with different arguments. Here I will look at the situation of women in politics in three Member States of the European Union: Finland, Great Britain and Spain, as well as in Norway.

 
   

Women in Politics

 		 
   

The Situation of Women in European Politics

In this paper I will mostly concentrate on women's participation in formal political institutions, but my intention is not to argue that grass roots action is not important and can be ignored; there are just very few studies available on women's political actions at the grass roots level. 		 
    Historical Review of Women in Politics    
    Electoral Systems and Voting  
    Women in Parliaments and Governments  
    Women and Political Parties  
    The Corporate Channel  
   

Some Comparisons and Conclusions about the Countries

 		 
   

Analyzing the Success Story of Norwegian Women in Politics

 		 
   

Conclusions

 		 
   

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