Political institutions and the challenge of diversity
Karen Schönwälder, Alex Street (now Caroll College, U.S.A.), Michalis Moutselos (now University of Cyprus, Nikosia), and Nicolas Fliess • Former staff members: Cihan Sinanoglu (DeZIM), Daniel Volkert
How do the political institutions and the political lives of countries, cities, and supranational units reflect the diversity of their populations? What does an immigrant or an ethnic minority background mean for the ability to participate politically and to aspire to political power? Such overall questions motivate a number of projects, completed and ongoing. Following studies of immigrant representation, the project turns to interactions between representatives and electorates. Based on a survey of potential voters in local elections in the regional state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, the project demonstrates that ‘common fate’, i.e., ethnic minority or migration background, is not the only motivation for supporting immigrant political representation. Rather, support for minority political presence may have become part of a more general commitment to cosmopolitan values and inclusive democratic institutions.
Sub-projects
- Immigrants in German city councils (completed)
- Immigrants in German politics: local elections and local parliaments in Northrhine-Westfalia (completed)
- Political parties and the representation of social diversity: immigrants on party boards in Germany (Nicolas Fliess, Karen Schönwälder)
- Voters and representatives: how does immigrant background matter? (completed)
- ZOMiDi · Civil society organizations and the challenges of migration and diversity: Agents of Change (with Vanessa Rau and Sanja Bökle, in cooperation with Helen Baykara-Krumme [University Duisburg-Essen])
Publications
Schönwälder, K., & Street, A. (2019). Understanding support for immigrant political representation: evidence from German cities. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 1-18. Link
Volkert, D. (2017). Parteien und Migranten: Inkorporationsprozesse innerhalb der SPD und der französischen PS. Bielefeld: Transcript. [Doktorarbeit/PhD-dissertation, Universität Göttingen] Link Leseprobe
Sinanoglu, C. (2017). Das Dilemma der BrückenbauerInnen: LokalpolitikerInnen mit Migrationshintergrund [The dilemma of bridge builders: local politicians with migration background]. Göttingen: Georg-August-Universität (Doktorarbeit/PhD-dissertation). Link
Schönwälder, K. (2014). Politische Partizipation von Migrantinnen und Migranten. In E. Vanderheiden, & C.-H. Mayer (Eds.), Handbuch Interkulturelle Öffnung (pp. 97-107). Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. Link
Bloemraad, I., & Schönwälder, K. (Eds.). (2013). Immigrant incorporation in urban politics [Special Issue]. European Political Science, 12(4). Link
Schönwälder, K., & Bloemraad, I. (2013). Extending urban democracy? The immigrant presence in European electoral politics. European Political Science, 12(4), 448-454. Link
Schönwälder, K., Sinanoglu, C., & Volkert, D. (2013). The new immigrant elite in German local politics. European Political Science, 12(4), 479-489. Link
Bloemraad, I., & Schönwälder, K. (Guest Eds.). (2013). Symposium “What diversity in European parliaments? The representation of immigrant-origin minorities in Western Europe”, West European Politics, vol. 36(3). Link
Bloemraad, I., & Schönwälder, K. (2013). Immigrant and ethnic minority representation in Europe: conceptual challenges and theoretical approaches. West European Politics, 36(3), 564-579. Link
Schönwälder, K. (2013). Immigrant representation in Germany’s regional states: the puzzle of uneven dynamics. West European Politics, 36(3), 634-651. Link
Schönwälder, K. (2012). Cautious steps: minority representation in Germany. In T. E. Givens, & R. Maxwell (Eds.), Immigrant politics: race and representation in Western Europe (pp. 67-86). Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publ. Link
Sinanoglu, C., Volkert, D., & Schönwälder, K. (2011). Vielfalt sucht Rat: Ratsmitglieder mit Migrationshintergrund in deutschen Großstädten. Berlin: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. Link
Schönwälder, K. (2010). Einwanderer in Räten und Parlamenten. Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte, 46-47, 29-35. Link
Schönwälder, K., & Kofri, C. (2010). Vielfältige Gesellschaft – homogene Parlamente? Einwanderer in den Räten von Nordrhein-Westfalens Großstädten. MMG Working Paper, 10-17-de. Link
Schönwälder, K., & Kofri, C. (2010). Diversity in Germany’s Political Life? Immigrants in City Councils. MMG Working Paper, 10-17. Link
Schönwälder, K. (2009). Trendsetter Obama? The ascent of immigrant voters and politicians in European states. MMG Working Paper, 09-03. Link
Schönwälder, K. (2009). Einwanderer als Wähler, Gewählte und transnationale Akteure. Politische Vierteljahresschrift, 50. Jg., (4), 832-849. Link