Women in politics / Debra A. Miller, book editor.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 149-154) and index.

Chapter 1. Have women made substantial gains in US politics? -- Overview : women in US elective office as of 2012 / Center for American Women and Politics -- The burdens of female politicians / Monica Potts -- Hillary Clinton's run for president had a positive effect on US politics / Jessica Valenti -- Women made modest gains in the 2008 US elections / Linda Feldmann -- Women's political gains have increased women's economic power / Carolyn Maloney -- Fewer women are seeking elective office / Kate Linthicum -- The 2010 midterm congressional elections produced a historic decrease in the number of women in the US congress / Meghan Smith -- Women have a long way to go to reach parity with men in congress / Nicholas Kusnetz -- Chapter 2. What is the status of women in world politics? -- Women are leaders of or running for office in the world's largest countries / Jenna Goudreau -- Women lag behind men in political power even in the developed world / Jesse Ellison -- Women's overall gains in world politics are uneven and fragile / Melanne Verveer -- Gender issues are preventing women from making greater progress in world politics / Farida Jalalzai and Mona Lena Krook -- Chapter 3. Does the participation of women improve politics? -- Overview : most people believe men and women make equally good leaders / Pew Research Center -- Women are better politicians than men / Sarah Galer -- Women politicians are involved in fewer sex scandals than male politicians / Lane Wallace -- Sarah Palin's self-promotion has improved politics for other women / Libby Copeland -- More female politicians may not mean better results / Kay Hymowitz -- Women cannot rule the world like men / Sandra Tsing Loh -- Chapter 4. What steps should be taken to encourage more women to enter politics? -- Removing barriers to women in politics is not enough / Joelle Schmitz -- Recruitment and training can bring more young women into politics / Barbara Lee -- Women's underrepresentation in politics should not be blamed on a lack of political ambition / J. Goodrich -- We must actively recruit more women to run for political office / Jennifer Lawless -- A team approach is needed to encourage more women to run for office / Kevin Drum.

Presents articles discussing the issues regarding women in politics, including the status of women in world politics, if the participation of women improves politics, and how women should be encouraged to enter politics.