How Visibility Matters

Abstract

Chapter 2 presents our theoretical framework underpinning expectations about how increases in descriptive representation—the number of women in politics—act as symbols to elicit changes in orientations toward politics, especially among women. We argue that women’s inclusion fosters a sense of belonging among women in the electorate. Importantly, these cues about women’s inclusion must be visible to ordinary citizens. Widespread awareness of quotas and women’s numbers in elected office are key implicit assumptions in much prior research on descriptive and symbolic representation. We argue that gender quotas and women’s presence in office can only yield changes in mass-level attitudes under conditions of visibility. We develop a visible cue theory of representation, linking descriptive to symbolic representation. We contend that having more women in politically powerful positions signals that politics is not strictly an arena for men (but only if citizens are aware of women’s political presence).