International immigration is changing European political economies in a number of ways and especially the question of how to successfully integrate immigrants into their new host societies is a topic attracting considerably attention. So far, integration research has focused on the economic integration of immigrants into domestic labor markets and the cultural integration of often ethnically diverse newcomers into their host societies. In contrast, the long-term consequences of immigrants taking up the role of political actors – be it as voters, interest groups or elected politicians – is a relatively new and little researched topic in the European context.

This paper-panel asks for the determinants for and consequences of a successful political integration of immigrants in their new home countries. Does the voting behavior of immigrants differ from natives and how can we explain it? How is the political integration of immigrants related to their economic and cultural integration? Which role do domestic political institutions play for the political integration of immigrants? Do politicians with a migrant background make a difference in terms of policies? These are the main questions this panel – as well as the political systems of the new host countries – will have to answer.

The panel is open to contributions from political science, sociology and history, taking up a national, European or an international-comparative perspective. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies are welcomed but a strong focus will be on positivist rather than normative perspectives.