Environmental patriarchy in a small democracy : women politicians’ experiences of patriarchy in Manx politics

Abstract

The Isle of Man is a small European democracy with very close ties to the United Kingdom. Despite in 1881 becoming the first jurisdiction to allow women to vote in national elections, throughout the twentieth century women have been substantially underrepresented in the Manx parliament, Tynwald. Drawing on constitutional documents and original qualitative interviews, this paper argues that two long standing environmental factors posing a challenge to more equal representation – the social and built environments – have been joined in the 21st century by a third: the online environment. All three are shaped by the characteristics of the Isle of Man as a small democracy. These key features, in particular intimacy, capacity, and the lack of strong party institutionalisation, are not shared with the UK; but are shared with other small democracies. This detailed study of the Isle of Man, then, can contribute to understanding of women and politics in small democracies. [excerpt]