Gender Ratios and Group Interaction: Evidence from Local Parliamentary Meetings in South Korea

About this event

How does the proportion of females affect the group dynamic in a male-dominated setting? We study this question in the context of local parliamentary meetings in South Korea, exploiting the introduction of gender quotas in the elections for members of parliament (MP). The legal requirement for local parliaments to publish detailed minutes of parliamentary meetings gives us the unique opportunity to observe in a systematic manner how individuals interact. Identity economics as well as a vast literature in sociology make varied predictions of male and female behavior in male-dominated settings. For example, men may hold the view of women as threats to the norm, or they may gradually become more accepting of female colleagues. Women may cope by taking on masculine attitudes and distancing themselves from female colleagues, or they may develop solidarity among themselves. We intend to analyze the minutes of the parliamentary meetings to see how the increase in the share of female MPs affected female and male MP behavior, as measured by frequency and length of speeches, proposal and endorsement of new bills, and contention against and support for other MPs. This study may also shed light on the exact mechanisms by which gender quotas in political positions lead to female-friendly policies 1 by zooming in on the legislative process.