Study finds less corruption in countries where more women are in government

>In a cross-country analysis of over 125 countries, this study finds that corruption is lower in countries where a greater share of parliamentarians are women.

Can people please use their critical thinking skills here? Why would countries like Saudi Arabia have more corruption than countries like Sweeden? If you seriously think it's because Sweeden allows women in government you need your head checked.

A study finding that women cause less corruption isn't quite sufficient evidence that governments across the globe need more women, just as a study finding that men are better for a nation's economy is not sufficient evidence that governments need more men. When the sex ratio of government bodies or voters changes significantly, a lot of variables are affected, some which significantly benefit some political parties/viewpoints over others. I think it'd be best to stick with the paper's conclusion itself instead of overdrawing it.

Standard correlation/causation disclaimer here, folks. Maybe lower corruption makes it more likely for women to seek or acquire positions in government. Or maybe a third factor causes both lower corruption and higher participation by women.

> The authors speculate that women policymakers are able to have an impact on corruption because they choose different policies from men. An extensive body of prior research shows that women politicians choose policies that are more closely related to the welfare of women, children, and family.

This one is interesting. Wasn't it the case that in boardroom women turned out to choose exactly the same policies the men did?

Also, why not link to any of that "extensive body of prior research"?