Corporatism and Gender Equality: A Comparative Study of Two Swedish Labour Market Organisations

In: European journal of political research: official journal of the European Consortium for Political Research, Band 20, Heft 2, S. 107-125

Abstract

Gender representation in the Confederation of Swedish Trade Unions (LO) & the Central Organization of Salaried Employees (TCO) is examined in light of the prominent role of male-dominated corporatist representation in Swedish state institutions. While the numbers of female (F) recruits in both organizations have increased substantially since 1945, statistics show that Fs remain severely underrepresented in executive positions. Consolidation of smaller unions into bigger ones is cited as partly responsible for the poor F representation. An external consequence of this situation is that since the decision-making bodies & administration of these organizations are used as a recruiting base for political representation, Fs are consequently excluded from political leadership. 9 Tables, 4 Figures, 32 References. L. Baker