Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. Women in Local Politics -- "The Natural Arena" -- Localization of Local Government in Israel -- Trends in Women's Representation in Local Government -- Research Questions -- Research Subjects and Collecting of Data -- Social Profile of Women Elected to Local Governments -- 2. Women and Politics: The Private/Public Split -- Public and Private: A Modern Western Mind-Set -- Private and Public as a Modern Western Pattern of Social Organization -- Private and Public as Political Construct -- Private and Public and the Study of Women and Politics -- The Politics of Private and Public -- Private and Public in the Israeli Context -- 3. Role Conflict as an Ideology -- Postponing the Entry into Politics: An Age Obstacle? -- Forgoing a Family: Is It Really Necessary? -- The Conflict Myth -- Role Conflict as Ideology -- The Ideology of Role Conflict and Scientific Research -- 4. Have Your Cake and Eat It: Women Entering the Public Sphere -- Grazing in Foreign Pastures -- Segregation by Gender -- Voluntarism: The Realm of Women -- Exclusion and Political Power -- Local Politics: The Natural Arena for Women? -- 5. Exchange Rate for Women: Converting Resources into Political Power -- Human Capital -- Organizational Resources -- Localization and the Way to the Top -- 6. Women and the Political Map -- The Major Parties: Labor and Likud -- Independent Lists -- Minor Parties -- Religious Parties -- Women's Lists -- Differences among Women on the Political Map -- 7. Local Community and Local Politics -- Jewish Localities -- Arab Localities -- 8. Politics of Women or by Women? -- Political Activity in the Election Campaign -- Political Activity during Term of Office -- Political Activity: Career or Passing Experience? -- Women in Politics: Representatives of What?.

9. Women at the Top -- Women Mayors -- Independence in the Race for the Top -- Struggle for the Top: Conclusion -- 10. More than a Looking Glass: Women in Politics and the Media -- Scope of Media Exposure -- Modes of Exposure -- Conclusion: Entrapped in a Gendered World -- References -- Index.