Intersectional templates of an Ideal Politician

Abstract

The panel delves into the intricate dynamics of political representation and participation, particularly through the lens of intersectionality. It explores how various marginalized identities interact and influence perceptions and aspirations within the political sphere. The first study utilizes an innovative visual survey tool in Switzerland, Germany, and the UK to investigate how citizens with multiple marginalized identities perceive political representation. It examines preferences for politicians' descriptive characteristics and activities, revealing insights into whether marginalized citizens prioritize descriptive representation, substantive representation of specific group interests, or a combination of both. The second paper explores the impact of appearance and societal perceptions on political participation. By comparing young people's self-reported political attitudes with external perceptions based on appearance, it illuminates how societal judgments based on physical ideals may influence perceived suitability for political engagement. In the Pacific Islands context, the third study utilizes data from the Pacific Attitudes Surveys to analyze gender perceptions and political participation. It highlights the complex interplay between traditional gender norms and modern roles, offering a unique perspective on intersectionality in a region underrepresented in global political discourse. The fourth paper from Sweden scrutinizes political party candidate selection criteria, particularly examining whether aspirants from marginalized groups are held to different standards of loyalty. This study contributes to understanding the barriers to equitable political representation in party politics. Finally, the panel includes a study from the Netherlands focusing on the impact of violence against women in politics. Through focus groups with young female aspirants, it assesses how exposure to political violence influences their political ambitions and participation, emphasizing the intersectional impact of such violence. Together, these studies provide a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors that shape political representation and participation across different contexts, emphasizing the importance of an intersectional approach in political science research.

Title	Details
Who still wants to go into politics? The intersectional impact of violence on the political aspirations of young women	View Paper Details
Double standards? Women, youths and immigrants do not need to signal more loyalty to run for office	View Paper Details
Modelling the Perfect Politician – How Marginalized Citizens Want to be Represented in Politics	View Paper Details
Perceptions of Political Actors: How Appearance Impacts who we think Participates in Politics	View Paper Details