Do Multi-dimensional Quotas Improve Social Equality? Intersectional Representation & Group Relations

Can quotas mandating descriptive political representation effectively address social hierarchy? Quotas are typically utilized to resolve gender hierarchies that support women’s exclusion from political power. Yet social hierarchy is multi-dimensional. Mandating political inclusion on one identity (gender) may be insufficient. We posit that quotas mandating representation on two dimensions (ethnicity and gender) disrupt multi-dimensional hierarchy, improving inter-group relations beyond one-dimensional gender quotas. We analyze the causal effect of the world’s largest quota system, with quasi-random quotas for women, disadvantaged ethnicities, and women from disadvantaged ethnicities in India. Utilizing multiple datasets covering India since quota imposition, we find one-dimensional gender quotas temporarily lessen hierarchical barriers to intergroup interactions in public whereas one-dimensional ethnic quotas worsen interactions. However, two-dimensional quotas consistently diminish public and private hierarchy, durably improving inter-group relations. Suggestive evidence indicates this relationship travels globally. Our results highlight the opportunities, and limitations, of using descriptive representation to improve social relations.