Beyond Electoral Rules: Women Political Rights in Mexico and Brazil since Democratic Transitions.

The article focuses on how feminist movements in Mexico and Brazil have differently prioritized women's political representation within the context of their respective democratic transitions. Using a theory-guided process-tracing method, it reveals that Mexico's prolonged transition, centered on electoral competition and party alternation, fostered an elite-driven feminist agenda emphasizing descriptive representation and legislative reforms, resulting in high female political representation. Conversely, Brazil's transition from military rule emphasized social mobilization and participatory policymaking, with feminists aligning mainly with left-wing parties and NGOs, leading to a broader feminist agenda but limited focus on electoral representation and persistently low female legislative presence. This historical-comparative analysis complements institutional explanations by highlighting how distinct political contexts shaped feminist strategies and outcomes in advancing women's political rights.