Islamism and Gender Relations in the Muslim World as Reflected in Recent World Values Survey Data

Abstract

Ever since Goldin (1995) proposed idea that there is a U-shaped female labor force participation rate function in economic development, empirical research is stunned by question why countries of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are characterized by such low rates of female labor force participation. This gap in labor economics research is all more perplexing since equality, particularly in education and employment, significantly contributes to economic growth. The research strategy of present paper is within a relatively new tradition in labor market research, initiated by recent article by Besamusca, Tijdens, Keune and Steinmetz (2015), which does not exclude anymore factor and what these authors call gender ideology. Our analysis of gender ideology of Islamism and values is based on an empirical analysis of World Values Survey data. In recent economic theory, Carvalho (2013) maintained that Muslim veiling is a strategy for integration, enabling women to take up outside economic opportunities while preserving their reputation within community. The empirical data clearly support a pessimistic view. We show that Muslim Feminism, which implies according to our data analysis rejection of twin brothers - Islamism and veil - and democracy movement in Muslim world are closely interrelated. Thus, it is imperative that Western Feminism develops solidarity with Muslim Feminism, and that labor economics does not exclude anymore the religious factor from analytical frameworks explaining low female labor force participation rates.