Carribeans in Europe (cont.)

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While in both nations all minority ethnic groups are underrepresented politically relative to their proportional populations’ representation, Caribbean representation in political spheres was lower than that of Indian, Pakistani/Bengali, and African communities. This, despite the fact that Caribbeans demonstrate a higher level of social integration than other immigrant groups.

On the basis of this data Maxwell proposed that social integration – rather than increasing the likelihood of an ethnic community working to elect its own local counselors – reduces it. He offered several explanations for the phenomenon. First, social integration increases residential dispersion, which results in lower voter turnout for ethnic representation in local elections. In addition, social integration leads to higher expectations for acceptance. If and when these expectations are negated by reality, disillusionment with the political process proves greater among groups which have a higher level of social integration. This in turn weakens the impetus to engage in protest politics. The talk was followed by a lively and critical audience discussion. This research comprises a portion of Maxwell’s dissertation, which examines issues of ethnic minority integration in Britain and France.

— Noga Wizansky