Trickle-Down Effects of Affirmative Action: A Case Study in France

The French Chess Club Championship introduced a quota in 1990, requiring clubs to add a woman to their roster. Where previously teams consisted of eight players, teams would now consist of nine players, at least one of whom must be a woman. This rule change provided a quite unique environment to study its effects on three levels. Women selected by the quota improved their performance and there were large spillover and trickle-down effects: There are more and better qualified women. Since the Federation added a member to each team, no substantial adverse effects on French male players were observed.

RESEARCH