Understanding preferences for descriptive political representation among citizens with immigrant background

Abstract

Today, citizens with an immigrant background make up a large minority in many western democracies. However, we still know little about how this growing group of citizens wants to be represented politically, often due to a simple lack of data. This study overcomes this obstacle by using Facebook ad campaigns to target Swedish citizens with immigrant background directly. In a series of experiments the study shows important similarities between native Swedes and citizens of immigrant origin, with both groups emphasizing substantive representation. The study also reveals substantial heterogeneity within the immigrant group: respondents show no preference for being represented by another immigrant in general. Only a shared immigrant background elicits a positive response, thus cautioning against treating “immigrant background” as a homogenous category. The results also highlight an understudied source of discrimination where respondents with immigrant background show a strong negative reaction against immigrants from certain countries.