GENDER REPRESENTATION AND THE QUALITY OF DEMOCRACY: THE DOUBLE BREACH IN LATIN AMERICA

Abstract

This study seeks to examine how the composition quotas has impacted the existing laws (descriptive representation or presence politics) in two national cases? Mexico and Argentina? and to compare the results with two other countries were there is no legislation that allows the presence of women in the parliamentary arena? Chile and Uruguay. The specific work of the legislators is examined (substantive representation or politics of difference) in relation to sectorial enviroments which are of interest for the new representatives, as well as the impact of the increase of the the feminine segment on the political agenda, specifically, on the gender agenda and equality politics.