Women in Parliament and Military Spending: A Comparative Analysis of the Caucasus And Middle East

This study explores the relationship between women's parliamentary representation and military spending in the Caucasian and Middle Eastern regions. Using Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia from the Caucasus and Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan from the Middle East, the research employs a comparative analysis method to examine the impact of gender diversity in politics on defense expenditures. The study considers GDP, population size, and birth rate as control variables. Findings reveal that while increased female representation in parliament correlates with reduced military spending in the Caucasus, this relationship is insignificant. Conversely, in the Middle East, higher female representation is associated with increased military expenditure. These results highlight the complex role of sociopolitical contexts in shaping the impact of gender diversity on policy outcomes. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for further research on gender representation in both legislative and executive branches to understand its broader implications for militarization.