Immigrants in the Political Process

In: Scandinavian political studies: SPS ; a journal, Band 21, Heft 1, S. 29-50

Abstract

Immigrants are underrepresented in the European political process, not only because they lack legal rights linked to citizenship, but also because they cannot exercise existing rights. This situation is examined for Sweden, where a liberal immigrant policy dating from 1975 granted extensive civil, social, & political rights to aliens, including the right for foreign citizens to participate in local political elections. However, voter turnout has been low, & has even declined over time. Survey data on different cultural orientations among immigrant voters in the 1991 local elections, immigrant representation in political assemblies, & immigrant association membership reveal that low electoral participation was related to individual characteristics, but also to social & institutional contexts specific to the refugee groups. Suggestions for encouraging political participation for immigrants are offered. 8 Tables, 34 References. M. Pflum