Representations of ‘Other’ Immigrants in the Agendas of Politicians of Immigrant Background: A Content Analysis on the Case of the Netherlands

Abstract

A growing literature in Western Europe investigates the role of immigrant minority politicians in representing voters with whom they share similar backgrounds. However, not much has been said on the possible contributions of those minority representatives in framing other sorts of immigrants. This research examines how Members of the Parliament (MPs) of immigrant minority origin frame asylum related and other kinds of immigration in their parliamentary work. This is a significant research question as it sheds light upon immigration related policy perspectives constructed by those who themselves have immigrant backgrounds. To answer this question, the researcher conducted a content analysis on parliamentary questions posted by MPs with migratory backgrounds. The paper particularly focuses on differences between representatives with migratory backgrounds by considering party ideology, gender and ethnic identity starting from early 2000’s. The qualitative nature of the research allows space to reveal unforeseen (intersections of) explanatory factors. The Dutch case has been particularly selected for its tradition of group representation under the notion of multiculturalism.

Keywords

• Political representation
• immigrant minority
• (asylum related) immigrant
• content analysis
• the Netherlands

Göçmen Kökenli Politikacıların 'Diğer' Göçmenleri Temsilleri: Hollanda Örneği Üzerine bir İçerik Analizi

Abstract

Batı Avrupa özelinde göçmen kökenli milletvekillerinin kendileri ile benzer geçmişlere sahip seçmenleri temsil etmek noktasındaki rollerini araştıran çalışmalar giderek gelişen bir literatür oluşturmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, göçmen kökenli parlamenterlerin gerek iltica gerekse diğer sebeplerle yaşadıkları ülkelerden farklı ülkelere yönelen yeni göçmenleri hangi çerçeve içinde ele aldıkları henüz üzerinde çok fazla tartışılmamış bir sorun alanı olarak karşımızda durmaktadır. Kendileri göçmen kökenlere sahip milletvekillerinin yeni göçmenleri nasıl bir çerçevede ele aldıkları son derece önemli bir sorudur. Zira, bu sorunun cevaplanması göçmenliği tecrübe etmiş olan kişilerin göç ile ilgili siyasi perspektiflerine ışık tutacaktır. Bu çalışmada, göçmen kökenli milletvekillerinin yeni gelen göçmenlere dair siyasi tercihlerini araştırmak üzere parlamentoya sundukları soru önergeleri üzerinde bir içerik analizi gerçekleştirilmektedir. Makalede parti ideolojisi, cinsiyet ve etnik kimlik faktörlerinin göçmen kökenli milletvekillerinin ortaya koydukları siyasi tercihler üzerindeki etkileri incelenmektedir. Araştırmanın niteliksel doğası, alanın öngörülemeyen (kesişme noktaları) açıklayıcı faktörleri ortaya çıkarmasına izin vermektedir. Hollanda örneği, çok-kültürlülük kavramı altında grup temsil geleneği nedeniyle özellikle seçilmiştir.

Keywords

• siyasal temsil
• göçmen kökenli azınlıklar
• (iltica ile ilgili) göçmen
• içerik analizi
• Hollanda

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