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Does Ethnicity Matter? Descriptive Representation in Legislatures and Political Alienation Among Latinos

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  • Adrian D. Pantoja
  • Gary M. Segura

Abstract

Objective. This article uses a political empowerment approach to explore the effect that descriptive representation in legislatures has on levels of political alienation among Latinos. Methods. Using data from the 1997 Tomás Rivera Policy Institute post‐election survey carried out in California and Texas, supplemented with data on the ethnicity of legislators serving each respondent, we test this political empowerment thesis. Results. The presence of Latino representatives in the state assembly, state senate, and/or U.S. House is associated with lower levels of political alienation among Latino constituents. The effect is modest, and we find that other factors—demographic, political, and ethnic‐specific—also exert powerful influences on levels of political alienation among Latinos. Conclusions. Although finding modest evidence for the political empowerment thesis, descriptive representation alone is not a panacea for creating politically engaged personas among Latinos.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian D. Pantoja & Gary M. Segura, 2003. "Does Ethnicity Matter? Descriptive Representation in Legislatures and Political Alienation Among Latinos," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 84(2), pages 441-460, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:84:y:2003:i:2:p:441-460
    DOI: 10.1111/1540-6237.8402014
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    Cited by:

    1. Avi Ben-Bassat & Momi Dahan, 2016. "Biased Policy and Political Behavior," CESifo Working Paper Series 6269, CESifo.
    2. Mayne, Quinton & Hakhverdian, Armen, 2016. "Ideological Congruence and Citizen Satisfaction: Evidence from 25 Advanced Democracies," Scholarly Articles 25302405, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
    3. Lindsey Cormack, 2021. "Strength in numbers: The forces of constituency size, legislator identity, and institutional position on veterans’ representation," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(6), pages 2849-2862, November.
    4. Benjamin R. Knoll, 2009. "¿Amigo de la Raza? Reexamining Determinants of Latino Support in the U.S. Congress," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 90(1), pages 179-195, March.
    5. John Ishiyama & Andrea Silva, 2020. "Unpacking the Suitcase: Premigratory Experiences with Ethnic Violence and Descriptive Representation Among Asian Americans," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 101(4), pages 1534-1551, July.
    6. Sophia J. Wallace, 2014. "Examining Latino Support for Descriptive Representation: The Role of Identity and Discrimination," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(2), pages 311-327, June.
    7. Tyler Johnson & Lisa Funnell, 2022. "Nobody does it better: Identity, ideology, and the future of James Bond," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(2), pages 245-258, March.

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