Structural Pluralism and Life Expectancy in Less-Developed Countries: The Role of Women's Status

Abstract

This study replicates a previous finding forthe U.S. counties that showed a strongassociation, net of controls between``structural pluralism'' and lower mortality. ``Structural pluralism'' refers to a community'scapacity for political competition, and is acore element of ``democracy.'' Pluralism hasthis effect because it facilitates theacquisition of appropriate medical facilitiesand because it tends to optimize the biologicalfunctioning of the residents. Working from amajor component of pluralism, minorityparticipation, this hypothesis is tested byshowing that women's status in less developedcountries improves life expectancy net ofcontrols. A path analysis demonstrates thatthe structural dimensions work through healthorganization as an intervening variable, andthe future testing of biological optimizationis outlined. Location in Africa south of theSahara is a partially unexplained controlvariable that has a powerful negative impact. Interpreting women's status as a component ofpluralism explains why it predicts increasedlife expectancy for all citizens, not justwomen. It is a global dimension that affectsall the members of a community.