Opportunity Structures Drive Women's Collaboration in State Legislatures

Women legislators collaborate effectively despite increasing polarization.

Data & Methods: Legislation considered in U.S. state legislatures during 2015 was analyzed using a novel dataset of over 140,000 bills.

Key Findings: Women's collaboration is influenced by institutional structures and the concentration of female legislators.

• Democratic-caucus interaction leads to higher levels of women's collaborative activity.
• The presence of a women's caucus boosts collaboration even as polarization increases.

Why It Matters: This study shows how electing more women into office can foster effective legislative teamwork through targeted institutional support.