Comparing Sub-National Diversity Policies: A Study of French and German Cities

How can we compare the engagement of cities in independent, sub-state policies that respond to the heterogeneity of their populations? A large body of research exists relating to the comparison of national immigration and immigrant integration policies. Indices have been developed and their pros and cons have been the subject of lively debates. However, for the sub-national level similar instruments are not yet available. This paper is specifically interested in policies that recognize and accommodate diversity. It presents a first systematic comparison of city-level diversity policies in France and Germany and their backgrounds. Drawing on data from an original survey of urban-policy actors in the twenty most populous cities of Germany and France, we develop an index measuring the spread of diversity policy instruments. We define these as instruments aiming to adjust the public administration and its services to a heterogeneous population and to publicly acknowledge the socio-cultural diversity of the population. We further conduct comparative analyses of the determinants of such policies and the potential advocacy coalitions (out of administration, politicians, economic actors, diversity actors, welfare organizations) supporting them. We argue for an interaction of local-level and national-level factors. Interestingly, key determinants differ in the two countries. Altogether, the paper offers a conceptual and methodological framework for sub-state comparison and an explanation for policy variation.