Routledge Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling - Women in Politics

Explore the complex dynamics of female representation in the United States government with Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling: Women and Congressional Elections. This Routledge publication examines why the integration of women into Congress has moved at a slow pace and investigates the existence of a political glass ceiling in American elections. By analyzing the strategic calculations used by candidates, this book explains why the decision of where to run is just as significant as the decision to run itself. It looks at how redistricting affects the opportunities available to female candidates and how these changes can protect incumbents while shaping the political landscape. This study provides a deep look at the differences between the political geography and socio-economic profiles of districts that elect women versus those that elect men. Supported by extensive data from over 10,000 elections and 30,000 candidates, this book offers a data-driven perspective on the challenges and structural factors influencing women in American politics.