This report examines women's political representation on the African continent, and shows how quotas have contributed to increasing their access to political power. The documented evidence from Africa is very encouraging: more than 20 countries on the continent either have legislated quotas or have political parties that have adopted them voluntarily. This report details the different quota types that are being implemented in different political contexts in 17 countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The Implementation of Quotas: African Experiences (International IDEA Quota Reports series)

History

International IDEA

Africa

International Idea

Written by parliamentarians and researchers, this second version of the IDEA Handbook on Women in Parliament examines the obstacles women face in getting elected to parliament, how to overcome such barriers, and ways to make a greater impact once they are members. Drawing on the shared experience of women as well as men working as activists, researchers, and politicians, this study tackles such topics as quotas and electoral systems and includes case studies from the Arab world, Argentina, Asia, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, France, Indonesia, Latin America, Rwanda, South Africa, and Sweden.

Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers (Handbook)

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

This report examines women's political representation in Europe and announces a surprising problem with gender quotas, which elsewhere in the world have been an important measure for boosting the number of women in legislative bodies. In the newly democratic countries of eastern Europe, however, quotas often are rejected as negative reminders of the hollow declarations of state-sponsored socialism. Eastern and western European countries are compared by detailing quotas studied and implemented in Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovenia.

The Implementation of Quotas: European Experiences (International IDEA Quota Reports series)

A unique assessment for anyone involved in present electoral structures, external voting processes, or debates, this handbook explains and compares worldwide external voting provisions. The guide offers proposals for enabling external voting systems and stopping the disenfranchisement of voters living abroad—topics which have been highlighted in campaigns in Afghanistan, Estonia, Iraq, and Italy.

Voting from Abroad: Handbook on External Voting (International IDEA Handbooks series)

Politics & Government

Providing a broad, comparative analysis of 27 African countries and 75 political parties, this discussion examines data that was assembled from 2004 to 2006 and the national and sub-regional dialogue workshops that followed between political parties, researchers, and civil society. This report explores the agenda for reform that emanated from the research and dialogue process and covers legislative regulation of political parties, women’s participation in them, their funding, party democracy, and party programs that represent and reflect the preferences of the people.

Political Parties in Africa: Challenges for Sustained Multiparty Democracy

A comparative study of the strengths and weaknesses of local peacemaking traditions in five African countries, this practical handbook is designed to inform, assist, and equip citizens and leaders in postviolence contexts to build strategies and structures for coexistence. Case studies include the Gacaca courts in Rwanda, restorative justice in post-civil war Mozambique, and the tradition-based practices of the Kpaa Mende in Sierra Leone. The conclusion cautions against unrealistic expectations of traditional conflict-management techniques but recommends them as one part of a larger reconstruction plan.

Traditional Justice and Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: Learning from African Experiences

Rules & Procedures

Referendums, citizens' initiatives, agenda initiatives, and recalls are studied in this handbook aimed at enhancing the participation of citizens in the democratic process. Other books on direct democracy often focus on one specific topic or report on a particular regional or national model. This guide, however, is based on a survey of direct democracy in 214 countries and territories, and the generous data is used to recommend best practice for each of the four kinds of direct action discussed. In addition, several case studies from around the world provide practical information on signature collection, voter registration, campaign financing, media coverage, and political lessons learned.

Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (International IDEA Handbooks series)

This report identifies critical factors preventing marginalized women’s inclusion in customary and democratic decision-making structures. It details specific strategies marginalized women and their supporters have adopted, ranging from direct action strategies in Somaliland to “soft” advocacy strategies in Cambodia, in overcoming barriers to their participation. The report’s 10 case studies gather knowledge and practical experience from around the world and show how women can impact on political processes through their participation in politics.

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized Women's Successes in Overcoming Political Exclusion

Constitutional Law

Political parties need access to funds in order to play their part in the political process. At the same time, the role of money in politics is arguably the biggest threat to democracy worldwide today. This threat is clear across all continents—from huge corporate campaign donations in the United States and drug money seeping into politics in Latin America to corruption scandals throughout Asia and Europe. Attempts to tackle these challenges through political finance laws and regulations are often undermined by a lack of political will or capacity, as well as poorly designed and enforced measures. This handbook addresses the problems of money in politics by analyzing political finance regulations around the world and providing guidance for reform. The chapters are divided by region; each assesses the current state of regulations in relation to its challenges and offers a series of recommendations to tackle the identified shortcomings. This geographical approach has the benefit of revealing regional trends and patterns. An additional chapter focuses on gender, reflecting the reality that women remain grossly underrepresented in politics around the world, while the increasing influence of money in politics perpetuates this inequality.

Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns: A Handbook on Political Finance (International IDEA Handbooks series)

Regional organizations play an increasingly important role in strengthening and upholding the rule of law. Regional organizations are also increasingly seeking to strengthen constitutional governance in their member states by developing regulatory frameworks that reject and sanction unconstitutional transfers of power and attempts to remain in power unconstitutionally. This publication presents and discusses the initiatives and actions in the field of rule of law and constitution building by regional organizations. It also highlights their achievements, their limitations and the challenges they face, and puts forward policy recommendations for consideration.

Rule of Law and Constitution Building: The Role of Regional Organizations

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by International IDEA. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by International IDEA