The Political Representation of Visible Minorities in Electoral Democracies: A Comparison of France, Denmark, and Canada

Abstract

This article examines political representation among visible ethnic minorities in France, Denmark and Canada. Drawing from these cases, it proposes a general model for comparing patterns of visible minority representation. Three sets of factors—citizenship regimes, institutional features and interest constellations—interact to shape the political opportunity structure for ethnic minority representation. Because these factors vary across and within countries, the result is very different levels of representation from one country to another, as well as important local differences within each country. Configurations across these three factors also have an important impact on the electoral strategies of individual ethnic candidates, and determine the style and substance of ethnic representation in each country.