Women’s Political Capabilities as Mediators of Leadership and People Satisfaction

Despite a much lower proportion than men, in both business and politics, a 2018 Pew Research Center survey shows that majorities in the U.S.A. say women leaders in comparison to men are more compassionate and empathetic in working out compromises and in standing up for their beliefs. Via the resource-based view tool, the researchers examine these specific capabilities (i.e., political proposals that benefit society, humanitarian causes, and political ideas) of U.S. women politicians and men politicians, while separately attempting to validate public perceptions of leadership. Using correlation analysis, the study tests the effect of each capability on leadership and people satisfaction. Data were collected from 80 U.S. politicians (40 women and 40 men) from State and Local Governments. The survey took place between 2 October and 5 December 2017. The results show that “women politicians’ ability to build humanitarian political proposals” has a statistically significant strong positive impact on “leadership”, while “women politicians’ ability to build political proposals to benefit society” has a statistically significant strong positive impact on “people satisfaction”. Putting the gender equality argument aside, the study suggests that women, in any case, deserve much more than a “one in four” political participation, even if only in the name of collective decision-making for the common good. Thus, it is important for more women voters to be actively involved and participate in politics and political decision-making in the context of democratic governments and elected politicians. Managerial implications and academic guidance are provided for future research