Belonging, political participation and ethno‐cultural minorities

Abstract

Ethnic minorities in the United States and Canada, many of whom are newly naturalized, display low rates of political participation. I argue that these low rates of participation indicate a sense of exclusion from the polity they have joined. Previous explanations for low rates of participation ‐material, contextual and institutional ‐ all reflect a concern with exclusion. We have reason to focus directly on the concept of belonging as a way to encourage newcomers to participate in politics. I suggest four policy proposals that focus on erasing this sense of exclusion, and thus on generating a sense of belonging, among newcomers to Canada and the United States. These policies, I hope, will encourage political participation among newcomers.