The Politics of Women's Economic Independence

Posted: 12 Aug 2009

See all articles by Evelyne Huber

Evelyne Huber

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Department of Political Science

Stephanie Moller

affiliation not provided to SSRN

François Nielsen

affiliation not provided to SSRN

David Bradley

Government of the United States of America - Congressional Research Service

John D. Stephens

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill

Date Written: Spring 2009

Abstract

We identify the political conditions that shape the economic position of married/cohabiting women and of the economically most vulnerable group of women-single mothers. Specifically, we examine the determinants of reductions in single mothers' poverty rate due to taxes and transfers, and women's wages relative to spouses'/ partners' wages. The Luxembourg Income Study archive yields an unbalanced panel with 71 observations on 15 countries. The principal determinants of poverty reduction due to taxes and transfers are left government, constitutional veto points, and welfare generosity. The relative wage of women in couples is a function mainly of female labor force participation, part time work among women, and women's mobilization. In explaining the causal pathways to these outcomes, we highlight the interrelationships of welfare state, care, and labor market policies.

Suggested Citation

Huber, Evelyne and Moller, Stephanie and Nielsen, François and Bradley, David and Stephens, John D., The Politics of Women's Economic Independence (Spring 2009). Social Politics, Vol. 16, Issue 1, pp. 1-39, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1447729 or http://dx.doi.org/jxp005

Evelyne Huber (Contact Author)

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill - Department of Political Science ( email )

361 Hamilton Hall
CB#3265
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3265
United States

Stephanie Moller

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

François Nielsen

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

David Bradley

Government of the United States of America - Congressional Research Service

Washington, DC 20540
United States

John D. Stephens

University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill ( email )

102 Ridge Road
Chapel Hill, NC NC 27514
United States

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