Learning about women's competence: the dynamic response of political parties to gender quotas in South Korea

Lee, Jay Euijung and Zanella, Martina (2024) Learning about women's competence: the dynamic response of political parties to gender quotas in South Korea. CEP Discussion Papers (CEPDP2029). London School of Economics and Political Science. Centre for Economic Performance, London, UK.

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Abstract

We study the dynamic responses of political parties to gender quotas in South Korean municipal councils, a setting with nearly zero women pre-quota. We exploit two unique institutional features: the quota intensity is discontinuous in council size; the quota regulates only one of two election arms. Political parties initially counteract the quota by nominating fewer women in the unregulated arm, but gradually reverse this response over time. Guided by a dynamic model of discrimination, we uncover statistical discrimination with incorrect beliefs about women's competence as the main mechanism driving party behavior. The quota triggers learning through exposure to competent women.

Item Type:	Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL:	https://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/discussion...
Additional Information:	©2024 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
JEL classification:	J - Labor and Demographic Economics > J1 - Demographic Economics > J16 - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
Date Deposited:	10 Feb 2025 17:12
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2025 17:12
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/126755

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