Posted on Apr 16, 2004

Richard Fox, associate professor of
political science, was co-author of a study that found that fewer women than
men run for elected office because they lack confidence, rather than the
ability to garner votes. The research, which Fox did with Jennifer L. Lawless '97 of Brown University,
appears in the American Journal of Political Science this month. With
men accounting for 86 percent of Congress, and previous studies finding that
women perform as well as men in fundraising and getting votes, the researchers
surveyed nearly 4,000 men and women whose professions suggest they would be
inclined to run for office. Women were twice as likely as men to rate
themselves as “not at all qualified” to run for office, the survey found. Women
also received less encouragement than men to run. The research was profiled in
the recent issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education.