Qualifications Gap

Nichole M. Bauer is Assistant Professor of Political Communication in the Department of Political Science and the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University.

• 1. The gendered qualification gap; 2. Fomenting a gender rebellion; 3. No place for women; 4. A gendered information gap; 5. Do voters expect women to be better than men? 6. Different parties, different standards; 7. Gender bias, disrupted; 8. The future is female; Appendices; References.

'Meticulously researched, theoretically rich, and methodologically sound, The Qualifications Gap addresses the social roots of gender discrimination, offers fascinating examples from both classic and contemporary political history, and rigorously applies both observational and experimental data to reveal just how complicated the path to political success continues to be for women. Bauer reveals sharp distinctions in the qualifications women must achieve - and must modestly promote - in order to fulfill their enormous potential in politics. Bauer ambitiously goes beyond merely diagnosing the problem by also theorizing and testing proposed solutions: ultimately, she reveals both stark realities behind women's persistent underrepresentation in government but also strategies to help mitigate the political gender gap in Washington.' Samara Klar, Associate Professor, School of Government and Public Policy, University of Arizona