The Political Participation of Asian Americans Voting Behavior in Southern California Studies in Asian Americans Series
Auteur : Lien Pei-te
Despite the size and relative prosperity of the Asian American ethnic population, the participation of Asian Americans in electoral politics has been low. This study explores the relationship between ethnic identity and political participation on three levels-between the four major racial/ethnic groups of the American nation, inside the multi-ethnic Asian American population, and within a specific Asian American ethnic group (Koreans).
Empirical analysis of surveys dealing with ethnic identity, experience, and voting behavior reveals the complexity of Asian American identities and the importance of both positive and negative experiences in shaping political participation. While, in general, individuals of Asian descent tend to participate less in electoral politics, the political involvement of those with a stronger sense of pan-Asian or specific ethnic identity are more complex. Political participation can be increased by a greater sense of group consciousness and identification of interests with either the panethnic group or a specific ethnic group. Most importantly, the socio-political context shapes the impact of ethnicity on political participation. The experience of Korean Americans in southern California exemplifies this process-Koreans, often victimized by hate crimes, were politicized by the riots following the trial of LAPD officers in the Rodney King incident.
The study concludes with a discussion of the meaning of electoral participation and financial contributions for Asian Americans, and of the role of political parties, interest groups, and media in the mobilization of Asian Americans into mainstream politics.
(Ph.D. dissertation, University of Florida, 1995; revised with new preface, and foreword)
Date de parution : 07-2016
15.2x22.9 cm
Mots-clés :
Asian American Political Alliance; Pei-Te Lien; Coethnic Neighbors; ethnic community organizations; Subjective Group Identification; Asian ethnic groups; Asian Pacific American Legal; Asian American politics; Macro Answers; Asian American movement; Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium; Asian Subsample; Ethnic Group Culture; National Asian Pacific American Legal; Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association; Voting Registration; Participation Disparity; Japanese American Citizens League; Asian American Panethnicity; Asian American Movements; Sociopsychological Factors; Voting Turnout; Asian Voters; Socio-psychological Factors; Stay Categories; non-Hispanic White Voters; Asian Candidates; Panethnic Group; Monterey Park; Ethnic Media