Alien Enfranchisement, Inter-immigrant Dynamics and Political Behavior

• In Event: Citizenship

Abstract

Do local alien enfranchisement policies alter inter-immigrant dynamics and subsequent political responses? In this study, we investigate differences in political attitudes and participation of naturalized immigrants in municipalities with and without alien enfranchisement. To date, migration studies and comparative politics literatures have not extensively studied the political and social consequences of non-citizen voting rights. In particular, two issues related to the civic inclusion of non-citizens remain relatively understudied. First, the effect of alien-enfranchisement on inter-immigrant dynamics, notably between immigrants that benefit from such policies and those who are not directly concerned, has so far not received attention by scholars. Second, we do not yet know whether these new dynamics between groups of immigrants translate into variation in political behavior.

Theoretically, we combine insights from the literatures on social integration theory, political efficacy, and the political participation of minorities. Our main argument is threefold. Taking stock of existing evidence, we put forward that two competing logics, i.e. solidarity or competition, explain how naturalized immigrants react to alien enfranchisement. The degree of identification with the host country differentiates which mechanism may be at play. We propose that stronger alignment with the host country renders naturalized immigrants to negatively evaluate these policies and perceive these new voters as competition. On the contrary, we expect a solidaristic approach from those identifying less so with their acquired identities. Next, conditioned by these inter-immigrant dynamics, we expect higher political external efficacy among naturalized citizens identifying less with the host country and vice versa. Lastly, we contend that enhanced external political efficacy increases political participation.

Empirically, we focus on whether expansion of local voting rights to non-citizens influences political behavior and responsiveness of naturalized citizens, i.e. citizens with immigration background that have acquired host country citizenship, conditioned by their self-identification with the host country. We cite evidence from the Swiss Household Panel data from 1999 to 2016 focusing on all Swiss municipalities with varying degrees of alien enfranchisement using a cross-sectional panel analysis. In a second step, we compare the political participation of naturalized citizens and natives in municipalities with or without alien enfranchisement using a difference-in-difference design.

The analysis contributes to the existing literature in migration and citizenship studies and public policy in several ways. The project sheds light on the effect of public policies of alien enfranchisement on intra-immigrant group dynamics. Through the investigation of these dynamics, we propose how these policies of enfranchisement relate to political outcomes. Adding to the broader study of political science, we suggest ways in which how external efficacy and identification may be linked in today's advanced diverse societies.

Authors

• Anna-Lena Nadler

• Elif Naz Kayran, Leiden University