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

Different electoral systems and the contributing factors involved when modifying an existing system are discussed in this comprehensive guide. Case studies explain how and why certain electoral systems were adopted in countries such as Brazil, China, India, Lesotho, Palestine, and South Africa, and simple explanations are provided for systems being used in more than 200 independent states and territories. In addition, measures for promoting the representation of women and minorities within electoral systems and a color-coded map that illustrates the presence of different electoral systems are included.

Electoral System Design: The New International IDEA Handbook (International IDEA Handbooks series)

Politics & Social Sciences

Politics & Government

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)

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)

Governments may hold free elections, but they fall short in other democratic measures such as the separation of powers, the freedom of the press, and guarantees of human rights. Delivered in two volumes, the first book explores ways in which democratic practice can contribute to the management of contemporary conflicts and promote the realization of security and development objectives. It argues that effective democracy-building moves beyond the process of elections and technical assistance and examines how democratic practice relates to human security.

Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century (Volume 1) (International IDEA Handbooks series)

Governments may hold free elections, but they fall short in other democratic measures such as the separation of powers, the freedom of the press, and guarantees of human rights. Delivered in two volumes, the first book explores ways in which democratic practice can contribute to the management of contemporary conflicts and promote the realization of security and development objectives. It argues that effective democracy-building moves beyond the process of elections and technical assistance and examines how democratic practice relates to human security. The second volume presents essays and case studies by leading specialists from around the world that further develop the themes and findings presented in Volume I.

Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century (Volume 2) (International IDEA Handbooks series)

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)

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Books by International Idea