2020-2021 Faculty Research Grants
Joel Raveloharimisy (Behavioral Sciences)
Women-Led Organizations and Contentious Politics in Madagascar
This article explores the factors that shape the choice of strategies that organizations led by women adopt in political mobilization. There has been very little, if any research that offers explanation about the strategies adopted by women's organizations, despite significant general scholarship on the causes of gender participation in contentious politics (e.g., Chenoweth and Stephan 2011, Davies 1962; Gurr 1968; Kitschelt 1986; Tarrow 1994; Tilly 1978). The analysis of women’s organizational strategies is important for two reasons: (1) the study allows us to revisit the theory about the common strategies adopted in contentious politics and (2) it will help us understand the determinants and success of women’s movements. I chose a stylized approach and explaining-outcome process tracing method to conduct the analysis using Madagascar as a case study. Madagascar has experienced six major political crises since its independence in 1960. Many women’s organizations were significantly involved in these events that have led to different constitutional reforms in Madagascar. Through this case study, I am striving to focus more on the contextualization of the strategies adopted by women’s organizations rather than generating a broad theory. A case study will provide an in-depth and multi-faced understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context because women’s organizations can have the potential to generate positive changes that have far-reaching consequences for the society.