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

Abstract: Ideally, we would like to study the effects of gender affirmative action on three levels. First, a direct effect on selected women. Then, trickle-down and spillover effects that can increase the number and qualifications of women eligible for the quota. Finally, there could be negative externalities on men. We study these three effects using a unique environment: France introduced a quota in its chess Club Championship in 1990, an activity many chess players engage in next to playing in individual tournaments. The universal Elo rating provides a measure of individual performance and the registered chess players constitute the pool of women and men. We find that women selected by the quota improve their performance, and in addition, there are large spillover and trickle-down effects. International comparisons confirm that the results are unique to France, and that there were no adverse effects on men. Joint with Muriel Niederle.

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