| Modernization scholars have long argued that economic development leads to political development, an argument based primarily on the observations of men in the industrialized workforce. In Mexico, however, women comprise the majority of the workforce in international factories and are not as likely as men to experience certain benefits (e.g., civic skills training) because of relegation to low positions and sectors. This study hypothesizes that mobilization factors available within and without international factories will contribute to political participation of employees, but that the quantity, type, and causal linkages will vary by gender. Using original survey data of factory employees (N = 402) in multiple regions and sectors, the study tests whether (a) men are more politically active than women; (b) women engage more in informal political activities and men engage more in formal; and (c) workplace-related mobilization factors are more significant for men while those emanating from NGO experiences (especially faith-based NGOs) are more so for women.; The findings do not fulfill some expectations but partially confirm others. The data show that, unlike the general Mexican population, among Mexican factory workers men are not more politically active than female workers. The data also suggest rough parity between male and female factory employees' level of involvement in formal activities (party and campaign activities) and informal activities (neighborhood issues, protests, school boards, community organizing). However, multivariate testing shows that, all things being equal, there is a significant relationship between being female and engagement in informal political activities.; Ironically, the maquiladora experience appears to have a limited "egalitarian" effect. Although the distribution of mobilization factors is not egalitarian, women are able to translate a distinct set of factors into participation. While it is factory experience and sense of political efficacy that are most significant for men, for women it is collective concerns and cooperation that are important. Involvement in NGOs (religious and nonreligious) is not significantly related to the political engagement of females (nor males). Still, female employees in NGOs are more involved in leadership opportunities and skills training than men, and thus, the NGO experience may have more long-term than short-term benefits for women. |
