Political (Dis)engagement among the Immigrant Second Generation

• In Event: 549 - Section on International Migration Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 07. Civic Engagement

Abstract

Do children of immigrants participate in domestic politics at rates equivalent to those of their native-born peers? An answer to this question can provide us with insight about the future of democracy and of social cohesion in 21st century multiethnic democracies. Combining individual-level data for 25 countries from the General Social Survey and the European Social Survey, I compare rates of political participation among second generation, foreign-born, and native-origin individuals. Using multilevel logistic regression, I test whether the political context of immigrant reception is associated with second generation participation rates. Given that anti-immigrant policies could provoke either alienation or action, the answer-- participation is higher in countries where immigrants have more rights-- gives us insight into the process of migrant-origin political incorporation. The results demonstrate that the second generation participates in both electoral and non-electoral activities as often as their native-origin peers, net of other characteristics, but that voting rates lag behind. These findings also apply to the Muslim population, who vote and participate in electoral politics at rates equal to those of other migrant-origin individuals (but have lower rates of non-electoral participation.) Furthermore, countries where immigrants' rights are weak have lower rates of involvement both for all citizens, regardless of origin. Overall, the evidence suggests that children of immigrants are involved in domestic politics to a similar extent as their native-origin peers, undermining pessimistic media portrayals and anti-immigrant/Islamophobic rhetoric. The results also underscore the importance of the context of reception for immigrant incorporation processes.

Author

• Sal Thorkelson, Princeton University