Amy C. Alexander
Change in Women's Descriptive Representation and the Belief in Women's Ability to Govern: A Virtuous Cycle
University of Göttingen
core principle democratic theory political scientists stress importance inclusive diverse elected bodies mansbridge 1999 phillips 1995 pitkin 1967 williams 1998 young 2000 large portion literature discusses positive symbolic effects elected bodies come closer mirroring population drawn underrepresented groups increases descriptive representation symbolize open political arena improves groups political participation well beliefs groups role politics