Enfranchisement of women in Switzerland led to reductions in local budget deficits of between 139 and 148 Swiss francs per capita, say Signe Krogstrup and Sebastien Walti of the Swiss National Bank.
Women’s gradual enfranchisement in the country’s 26 cantons from 1959 through 1990 enabled the researchers to examine the effect on local government spending. They speculate that the reasons for the declining deficits have to do with women’s altruism, patience, and prudence toward risk.
