The benefits of democratic societies go beyond greater personal freedoms and liberties. A new study by a UC Riverside economics professor has found that democratic systems of government also lead to higher participation by women in the labor market.
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To understand this phenomenon, [UC Riverside Associate Professor and study author Ugo Antonio] Troiano found evidence that democratic rule reduces discriminatory attitudes toward women in the workplace.
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The study also suggests that democracies create more female role models, further encouraging women to enter the labor force.
Troiano said his findings align with what we know from political economy and development economics: people are inspired by leaders who resemble them. If all political figures are men, young boys are more likely to aspire to leadership positions, while girls are not. Democracies help correct such imbalances.
“The role model hypothesis suggests that when young women see other women in professional roles during their impressionable years, they are more likely to pursue careers themselves,” he said. “Male dictators may serve as role models only for boys, while female politicians, who are more common in democracies, are more likely to inspire girls as well.”
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Troiano’s findings carry important implications for policymakers. Policies that protect democracy are not just about protecting political rights—they also have tangible economic benefits, particularly for women. Free and fair elections, gender-inclusive governance, and legal protections for women may also be effective tools for increasing female labor market participation and the resulting economic benefits, Troiano said.
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Previous research shows that greater female participation in the workforce can lead to reduced poverty, higher GDP growth, and increased innovation.
Troiano’s research builds on the work of Harvard University economist Claudia Goldin, who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics for research that documented the historical barriers women face in the workforce and the economic factors influencing gender disparities. While Goldin provided a historical and economic analysis of gender disparities, Troiano demonstrated how political and institutional structures around the globe influence these disparities over time.
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