Wednesday, June 26, 2013
2.04 (Binnengasthuis)
The literature on political representation emphasizes the presence of ‘migrant voice’ in representative institutions. However, the evidence on a substantive contribution of such presence is less than conclusive. Representatives of migrant origin are not unusually seen as display images to gather migrant votes rather than as influential actors seeking the interests of those with a similar background. This study investigates whether a descriptive presence of those of migrant origin in representative bodies indeed makes a substantial change or not in terms of representing ‘migrant’ people. In this regard, the present paper analyzes the claim making abilities of MP’s of migrant origin within British and Dutch political systems by conducting a content analysis on their speeches in the parliament. A limited conceptualization of political representation will be made and such representation will be limited with the ‘claim making’ abilities of representatives of migrant origin within the parliamentary room. Comparing the British and the Dutch cases will enable to see to what extent if any the opportunity structures differ across Britain and the Netherlands; the latter showing a clear shift towards a more integrative approach whereas Britain still being attached to multiculturalism even questioning it loudly in the recent decade.
