We examine the backgrounds, connections, and credentials of all full cabinet rank ministers in two to four presidential administrations in five presidential democracies—Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the United States—to determine if women and men bring similar numbers and diversity of political capital resources to the administration. With a few exceptions, presidents select men and women with similar work and education backgrounds, prior involvement in parties, politics, and government, and with linkages to related interest groups. Although the women are similar to the men who h ... More

We examine the backgrounds, connections, and credentials of all full cabinet rank ministers in two to four presidential administrations in five presidential democracies—Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the United States—to determine if women and men bring similar numbers and diversity of political capital resources to the administration. With a few exceptions, presidents select men and women with similar work and education backgrounds, prior involvement in parties, politics, and government, and with linkages to related interest groups. Although the women are similar to the men who have traditionally run government, minister backgrounds differ across types of posts and countries. In the second half of the book, we evaluate the treatment and effectiveness of similarly credentialed male and female ministers on four benchmarks. Specifically, we examine whether women with equal qualifications can really obtain all posts or whether glass ceilings persist in some areas. We then turn to the ability of women to hold on to a post considering, first, the nature and circumstances surrounding their departures from office, and second, how long they remain in office. Finally, we uncover some evidence of an unequal playing field in terms of the ability of female ministers in Latin America to enact policy through legislation. While women may lack numerical equality, they are no longer tokens and thus once they gain office are treated quite similarly—positioning them to exercise power at the highest levels within the executive branch.