Traditional Values and the Gender Difference in Political Efficacy: A Comparative Study of Three East Asian Societies

The global gender gap in political participation is an undeniable fact. As a key factor influencing political participation, political efficacy is essential for civil society mobilization, the generation of diffuse support for the political system, and the prevention of corruption in democracies. In this sense, political efficacy is a cornerstone of democratic consolidation. Yet to date, no systematic study has examined the gender gap in political efficacy in East Asia. This article aims to fill that gap. Focusing on three East Asian societies: Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, this study revisits Inglehart and Norris’s cultural explanation of gender differences. We argue that East Asian traditional values reduce women’s political efficacy, but not men’s. Unsurprisingly, traditional culture continues to play a significant role in shaping women’s political attitudes, albeit in a negative way.