Abstract
AbstractImmigrants are underrepresented in most democratic parliaments. To explain the immigrant–native representation gap, existing research emphasizes party gatekeepers and structural conditions. But a more complete account must consider the possibility that the representation gap begins at the supply stage. Are immigrants simply less interested in elected office? To test this explanation, we carried out an innovative case–control survey in Sweden. We surveyed elected politicians, candidates for local office, and residents who have not run; stratified these samples by immigrant status; and linked all respondents to local political opportunity structures. We find that differences in political ambition, interest, and efficacy do not help explain immigrants' underrepresentation. Instead, the major hurdles lie in securing a candidate nomination and being placed on an electable list position. We conclude that there is a sufficient supply of potential immigrant candidates, but immigrants' ambition is thwarted by political elites.
Highlights
Immigrants are underrepresented in most democratic parliaments
Our analysis shows that the distributions of a number of key variables in our survey closely track those found in the Society Opinion Media (SOM) study
We find that the reduction in the coefficient for the migrant indicator when moving from the bivariate to the full model is due to the inclusion of our indices, and to the socioeconomic and political opportunity structure variables
Summary
To explain the immigrant–native representation gap, existing research emphasizes party gatekeepers and structural conditions. Candidates for local office, and residents who have not run; stratified these samples by immigrant status; and linked all respondents to local political opportunity structures. We find that differences in political ambition, interest, and efficacy do not help explain immigrants’ underrepresentation. We conclude that there is a sufficient supply of potential immigrant candidates, but immigrants’ ambition is thwarted by political elites. In Sweden, this number reaches 1 in 6.1 This demographic rise has not been matched by immigrants’ representation in electoral politics. In political systems where aspiring candidates require the blessing of party leaders to mount a successful run for office, these gatekeepers, scholars claim, decisively influence the representation of immigrant-origin candidates.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
