Dorothy McBride Stetson

Politics and Sexual Equality: The Comparative Position of Women in Western Democracies@@@The Women's Movements of the United States and Western Europe: Consciousness, Political Opportunity, and Public Policy@@@Women's Rights in France

This text assesses the results of the womens movement over the last 20 years, comparing a range of Western societies to see where sexual stratification has altered most radically and to what extent political parties have had a significant impact on the situation of women.

Social Characteristics of Costa Rican Decision Makers

T he following data were obtained in fall 1966 during a series of interviews by the author. As part of a larger study of the political culture of decision makers in Costa Rica, they indicate the level of education, age distribution, travel and study abroad, and the political-party affiliation of sample groups of Costa Rican deputies, civil servants, and appointed directors of autonomous institutes. Information presented here should be of use and interest to those comparing elite characteristics cross-culturally and to those who have a particular interest in Latin American politics. Three populations, consisting of 113 members of the 1962-1966 and 1966-1970 National Assemblies, 136 of the jefes of departments in the Ministries, and 91 directors of the autonomous institutes, were isolated. A sample of 25 percent was drawn from each of the populations. All but five of those selected were interviewed, and the data describe these 28 deputies, 32 civil servants, and 20 directors. As can be seen from Table 1, a majority of all are in the middle age group: over 35 and under 50 years of age. Most have graduated from universities, although deputies are less educated than members of the other groups (Table 2). A majority of civil servants and directors have studied overseas in addition to their regular education, while only a few of the deputies have studied abroad (Table 3). Many deputies, however, have traveled abroad as representatives of the government (Table 4). Most directors are members of the Partido Liberacion Nacional as Table 5 shows. Non-PLN affiliation among the civil servants and deputies is greater than among the directors, although members of the PLN still constitute a majority in each of the three samples. Civil servants and directors come primarily from San Jose, the capital, while most deputies are from places outside San Jose. No area is very far from San Jose and most members of all groups are from the Meseta Central.