Political Science ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 5-11-2024

Abstract

Over the past three decades, as an increasing number of states have adopted sexual harassment legislation, many studies have examined the choices countries make to address and combat this issue. However, questions remain about what causes states to act while others resist change, why some countries choose to only introduce weak legislation rather than aggressively tackling the issue, and how people on the ground receive these policies. This dissertation uses a macro, meso, and micro approach to answer these questions on sexual harassment policy and implementation. First, using large-n data, I find that strong, feminist movements are correlated with the adoption of legislation. Second, studying the case of Japan, I find that the Liberal Democratic Party’s refusal to advance more aggressive policy influenced the adoption of weak policy. Finally, studying university students, I find that training perceptions differ based on gender, time lapsed, and prior perceptions.

Degree Name

Political Science

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Political Science

First Committee Member (Chair)

Mala Htun

Second Committee Member

Sarah Dreier

Third Committee Member

Francesca R. Jensenius

Fourth Committee Member

Charles Crabtree

Language

English

Keywords

sexual harassment, comparative politics, Japan, sexual misconduct training

Document Type

Dissertation

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