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National Identity and Political Participation – Is there a Difference between Natives and Migrants?

Citizenship
National Identity
Nationalism
Political Participation
Political Sociology
Immigration
Quantitative
Carolin Rapp
University of Copenhagen
Carolin Rapp
University of Copenhagen

Abstract

The paper aims at adding insights to the ongoing discussion about how political participation can be encouraged. In contrast to prior research, however, it takes a new turn by looking at national identification as driving force behind individuals’ political interest and participation. In doing so, the study connects research on national definitions – following a social psychological approach – with the extensive research on political participation – focusing on individuals’ political behaviour. The paper relies on insights from research by Maddens et al. (2001) who analysed the subnational differences of national identification among the Belgian language regions. Taking this approach as a starting point, we go one step further by not only asking how national identity differs between linguistic groups in a country, but how national identification differs between native and non-native citizens. Yet, at the heart of the paper lies the analysis of the relationship between individuals’ national identification and the likelihood to participate in the political process. The main questions thereby are: Does national identification influence political behaviour; and if so, are there differences between native and non-native citizens? These questions are explored based on the paradigmatic case of Switzerland with its high levels of foreign born citizens, the tradition of popular votes, the cultural differences between the three language regions as well as the historically strong identification with the nation. The analyses are conducted on the base of the ISSP 2013 data on National Identity III as well as the Swiss-specific extension of this international data set, the MosaiCH 2013.