ABSTRACT
The chapters of this book provide a useful picture of the varied ways in which quotas function. This chapter steps back from the relatively detailed level of individual countries and regions to generalize on the global level about quotas. First, the chapter provides some general information on how the frequency of electoral quotas varies across country types distinguished on the basis of type of quota, the level of democracy within the country, and on electoral systems. Second, I distinguish between quota types by referring to the legislative recruitment process and how they are designed to affect different steps in the legislative recruitment process. In addition, a discussion is included of the effectiveness of various types of quotas. Getting quotas adopted is a crucial step, but there is also a need to consider their effectiveness.
