AR

Public Opinion of Women's Rights and Democratic Values

Volume 1|Issue 3| Dec 2018 |Arab Opinion Index Analysis

Abstract

How do opinions of gender equality affect perceptions of democracy? Much has been written linking procedural democracy with underlying democratic values; in essence, the argument is that without a general support for democratic values, systems of democratic governance may erode and decline.

Democratic values/attitudes are often defined as support for inclusive political and civil freedoms, as well as the institutional safeguards which guarantee them. Opinions towards women's rights can be considered part and parcel of democratic values. Thus, in this paper, we ask whether opinions of gender equality can help predict democratic, or anti-democratic, sentiment. Essentially, we seek to address the question: can one profess a belief in democracy while simultaneously holding misogynistic views and excluding women?.

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Dana El Kurd

Researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. She holds a Ph.D. in Government and Political Science from the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on Comparative Politics and International Relations. She has written periodically for publications such as The New Arab, the Washington Post's Monkee Cage blog and Foreign Affairs magazine. Her work has been published in Middle East Law and Governance, Journal of Arabian Studies, Paramters and Siyasat Arabiya. 


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