Women, Power, Politics: The Hidden Story of Canada’s Unfinished Democracy

Sylvia Bashevkin
Oxford University Press 2009

In this engaging, no-nonsense, and witty book, Sylvia Baskevkin argues that Canadians have a profound unease with women in positions of political authority–what she calls the “women plus power equals discomfort” equation. She explores the specific reasons why this discomfort is particularly severe in Canada. Bashevkin also evaluates a range of barriers faced by women who enter politics, including the media’s role in assessing the leadership styles, personal appearances, and private lives of female politicians. In clear, accessible terms, Bashevkin explains concepts such as “gender schemas” and “media framing” in terms of key examples, such as Belinda Stronach and Hillary Clinton.

Finally, Bashevkin outlines some compelling solutions to address the stalemate facing women in Canadian politics.

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