Date of Award

Spring 2009

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Political Science

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

Mary Malone

Abstract

As recently as 2006, Latin American citizens have shifted to the left ideologically. This study begins by exploring the ideological orientation of women in socially conservative Chile. After analyzing existing literature on gender and ideology, this study goes on to suggest what has led Chilean women to ideologically self-identify to the left. Using a combination of case study analysis and Latin America Public Opinion Project analysis, this thesis proposes that specific social demographics, attitudes toward social issues, the economy, and government intervention are related to the ideological orientation of women. This study focused on multivariate ordinary least squares regression model analysis to evaluate the suggested hypotheses. Additionally, this thesis will address the implications an ideological shift to the left may have on Chilean society.

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