Gender Matters in Politics

Abstract

Although often ignored by practitioners and academics alike, gender matters in both politics as a practice and politics as a subject of study. This article systematically demonstrates how both the practice and study of politics are gendered in ways that lead to an over-representation of men. It also argues that both are intertwined in significant ways that need to be unravelled, but also that important changes have taken place in both over the last 30 years. The article goes on to highlight some of the challenges that remain and ends by outlining some of the key themes that should be an important part of an on-going agenda to improve politics as a practice and as a discipline. © The Author 2012. The Political Quarterly © The Political Quarterly Publishing Co. Ltd. 2012.