Women in Government VS Conflict: Feminism Creates National Peace
What effect does an increase in female presence in government positions have on the amount of conflict within a nation?
This research design paper investigates the critical relationship between the presence of women in government positions and the prevalence of national conflict. Conflicts impose significant economic, social, and psychological costs on nations and their citizens. This study examines the hypothesis that increasing female representation in government can lead to a decrease in conflict, grounded in theories that suggest women's unique contributions to peacebuilding and ethical governance. Addressing gender discrimination in high-level occupations, such as government, is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic approach to fostering national stability.
Central Hypothesis:
An increase in female presence in government positions will lead to a decrease in the length, amount, and violence of conflict within a nation.
Theoretical Foundations and Scholarly Insights:
Several key beliefs and theories build the foundation of this investigation, including:
Women's Wellness in Conflict: Conflict negatively impacts women and children (Bendavid, 2021); however, it can also catalyze the development of women's skills and expansion of their knowledge (Arostegui, 2013).
Women's Contributions to Peace: The perception is that women are more trustworthy than men in many social circumstances (Dollar, 2001). Women are associated with helping behavior, are more likely to vote based on social issues, score higher on integrity tests, and hold stronger ethical stances. These qualities suggest women can more effectively promote honest government and sacrifice personal gain for the common good.
Psychological Traits: Women, on average, score higher on personality facets such as neuroticism, extraversion, order, dutifulness, self-discipline, warmth, generosity, positive emotions, and tender-mindedness (Feingold, 1994; Costa et al., 2001; Weisberg et al., 2011). These traits align with the characteristics recommended for diplomacy and government roles (e.g., the ENFJ personality type), thereby enhancing conflict resolution capabilities.
Systemic Obstacles: Despite the potential for positive impacts, persistent obstacles such as gender segregation, earnings gaps, childcare issues, and cultural family dynamics (Van der Lippe, 2002) can hinder women's accomplishments and recognition in leadership roles.
Research Design and Methodological Considerations:
This study proposes a quantitative research design to examine the relationship over a 50-year timeframe.
Independent Variable: The amount/percentage of women in government positions per nation. Measured by the difference in the number and percentage of women in government 50 years ago versus currently, using a logic count. Data sourced from the World Bank.
Dependent Variable: The amount of ongoing conflict per nation (internal and international). Measured by the difference in the Global Peace Index (GPI) of a nation 50 years ago versus now. GPI evaluates conflict based on factors such as the number/duration of internal/external conflicts, deaths, and the intensity of organized internal conflict—data sourced from the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
Analysis: A regression model (y = a + b(x)) demonstrates the relationship, where 'a' represents estimated conflict with zero women in government, and 'b' indicates the direction and degree of the relationship. CVI and average CVR scores determine the content validity.
Case Selection: Cluster sampling will randomly select nations from each geographical region to ensure a diverse and globally representative sample. The nations with the highest, lowest, and average conflict levels are then compared.
Preliminary Findings (from a smaller sample):
A smaller-scale sample, observing eight states over 13 years (2008-2021), showed a moderate negative relationship between the percentage of women in government positions and the GPI score (representing conflict). This preliminary finding suggests that as women's representation in government increases, the amount of conflict tends to decrease, supporting the central hypothesis. This indicates that the results are likely to be replicated with more significant findings in the larger, proposed 50-year study.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Research Design:
Strengths: Observes a global population, allowing for diverse cultural perspectives.
Weaknesses: Challenges in accessing accurate data from countries with women's rights violations or internet blackouts may introduce biases, potentially overrepresenting Western countries. The research would need periodic replication (e.g., every decade) to accurately reflect global capabilities as women gain more rights and protections.
Implications & Predicted Outcomes:
If women can bring emotional intelligence and other essential characteristics crucial for conflict resolution, then nations with a higher proportion of women in government positions are predicted to experience shorter, less violent conflicts or fewer conflicts overall. The research predicts a decrease in the length, amount, and violence of conflict within a nation as female presence in government increases. This study aims to quantify this effect, understand its nature, and determine its degree.
Conclusion and Future Directions:
This research design systematically outlines an investigation into the compelling hypothesis that greater female representation in government positions contributes to national peace and reduced conflict. By rigorously testing this relationship, the study aims to provide empirical evidence supporting the strategic importance of gender equality in governance for global stability. Future research should strive to overcome data collection challenges to ensure even greater global representation and continue to explore the multifaceted ways in which women in leadership contribute to national and international peace.
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