Democracy Matters - Episode 48: Democracy Is Not A Static State
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SUMMARY: Dr. Melinda Adams, Associate Dean of JMU's College of Arts and Letters, discusses global democratic backsliding, democratic transitions, what to expect in policy approaches to Africa under the Biden administration, women’s political representation globally, and more.
The peaceful transition of government is a hallmark of American democracy. In the majority of American elections, there has been little question that a peaceful transition of power will occur. 2020 was different. But, the United States is not unique in experiencing an erosion of democratic norms.
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Melinda Adams, Associate Dean of JMU's College of Arts and Letters and professor of political science. She teaches courses in African politics, the politics of development, and international affairs, and her research focuses on gender and politics and women’s political representation, particularly in West Africa.
Dr. Adams discusses democratic transitions, what to expect in policy approaches to Africa under the Biden administration, women’s political representation globally, and more.
Links in this episode:
- Freedom in the World 2020
- United States ranks 106th overall on political gender parity
- Interparliamentary Union Report on Women’s Representation
- Rainbow Murray
- Gender norms and women's political representation: A global analysis of cabinets, 1979–2009
- Ratchets and See-Saws: Divergent Institutional Patterns in Women's Political Representation
- Transnational organizing, the boosting effect, and women's legislative caucuses in Africa
