Diverse councils, diverse representation
Keywords
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Issue Date
2025-06-25
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
This master thesis focuses on patterns of descriptive representation and substantive representation of ethnic minorities in Dutch local politics. It looks into which representatives with characteristics like ethnicity, gender and party are able to advocate for ethnic minority interests. All submitted written questions - a local political instrument by local council members - from January first until June thirtieth of 2024 in the councils of Rotterdam, Utrecht and Groningen have been scanned. The ones touching the topic of ethnic minorities have been picked out for further analysis. By systematically analyzing those written questions, this study examines whether and how representatives use their positions to address issues pertinent to ethnic minorities, while studying their backgrounds. Through this exploratory research, it is found that for the cases of Rotterdam and Utrecht, there is indeed a link between descriptive and substantive representation to the extent that ethnic minority representatives are better than ethnic majority representatives at representing ethnic minority interests. For the assessment of the strength of the link between the forms of representation, further research is recommended, due to a shortage of valid data. Gender also seems to play a role in the substantive representation of ethnic minorities: ethnic minority women are better at representing ethnic minority interests than ethnic minority men, and ethnic majority women are better at representing ethnic minority interests than ethnic majority men. Party affiliation also seems to matter: representatives linked to progressive and left-wing parties more often advocate for ethnic minorities than their conservative and right-wing colleagues.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen