political actors and dynamics, not vague forces of development, are the central factor producing and mitigating inequalities in representation

option to pursue positive action in candidate selection.

ausal heterogeneity and the interaction of different factors.

International norms and organizations play a role in promoting quotas for women.

Quotas tend to emerge during periods of democratic innovation, as a way to establish the legitimacy of the new political system.

quotas for women are often seen as an extension of guarantees given to other groups based on factors like language, religion, and race.

Quotas can be seen as compatible with ideas of equality and fair access, and left-wing parties are generally more open to implementing them.

Some see them as a way to achieve justice and promote women's interests, while others adopt them strategically to compete with rival parties or maintain control within their own party.

egrees of dependence between women elected through quotas and the parties and elected officials who make their election possible.

Quotas can increase women's representation even without social and economic prerequisites. The adoption of quotas highlights the role of political elites in recruitment practices and the production and mitigation of inequalities in representation

including the mobilization of women's groups and the calculations of political elites