Gender difference in attitudes towards global issues

Richard C. Eichenberg and Blair M. Read

Chapter 32 in Handbook on Gender in World Politics, 2026, pp 208-216 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The survey data presented in this chapter suggest that gendered variation in attitudes toward war and the use of force, perception of risk, and engagement with international institutions is a global phenomenon. However, gender difference shows considerable variability from country to country. The chapter presents survey data describing these trends. We find that the most significant gender differences occur on the issue of violence and the use of military force. These attitudinal differences are diminished when the use of military force is pursued for humanitarian purposes. We also find that support for multilateral institutions does not exhibit gender variation outside of the United States. Our review of the survey evidence casts doubt on the explanatory power of hypotheses that emphasize the biological foundations of gendered patterns in politics and international relations.

Keywords: War; Military Force; Essentialism (Gender); Multilateralism; Humanitarian Intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803923765
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