Latino Heterogeneity and the Politics of Education: The Role of Context*

TY - JOUR

T1 - Latino Heterogeneity and the Politics of Education

T2 - The Role of Context*

AU - Meier, Kenneth J.

AU - Melton, Erin K.

PY - 2012/9

Y1 - 2012/9

N2 - Objective: The sheer size of the Latino population in the United States has resulted in increased scholarly attention to the role Latinos play in the U.S. political system. A less-studied phenomenon, however, is whether the diversity of Latinos matters for electoral representation. This analysis tests how Latino homogeneity might influence representation by evaluating three contingencies: Latino majority versus minority status, electoral structure, and partisan versus nonpartisan election rules. Methods: This study combines original survey data with data gathered by the U.S. Census on the national origin of Latinos in the United States. Results: Latino homogeneity affects the chances of gaining representatives; however, this impact is evident only when Latinos constitute a numerical minority, hold at-large elections, and engage in nonpartisan contests. Conclusion: Theories of representation must move beyond traditional assessments of context and examine how the seemingly negligible characteristics of minority populations might affect their prospects for politics.

AB - Objective: The sheer size of the Latino population in the United States has resulted in increased scholarly attention to the role Latinos play in the U.S. political system. A less-studied phenomenon, however, is whether the diversity of Latinos matters for electoral representation. This analysis tests how Latino homogeneity might influence representation by evaluating three contingencies: Latino majority versus minority status, electoral structure, and partisan versus nonpartisan election rules. Methods: This study combines original survey data with data gathered by the U.S. Census on the national origin of Latinos in the United States. Results: Latino homogeneity affects the chances of gaining representatives; however, this impact is evident only when Latinos constitute a numerical minority, hold at-large elections, and engage in nonpartisan contests. Conclusion: Theories of representation must move beyond traditional assessments of context and examine how the seemingly negligible characteristics of minority populations might affect their prospects for politics.

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U2 - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2012.00869.x

DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2012.00869.x

M3 - Article

SN - 0038-4941

VL - 93

SP - 732

EP - 749

JO - Social Science Quarterly

JF - Social Science Quarterly

IS - 3

ER -