Pol 168: Latin@ Politics

1. Pol 168: Latin@ Politics Professor B. Jones Dept. of Political Science UC-Davis Fall 2008

2. What is Latino Politics Research? • Academic focus on race/ethnic politics typically on African-Americans • …which seems natural given historical circumstances. • But as a separate field, Latino Politics has seen considerable growth… • But what is it?

3. Central Issues and Themes in Political Science Research on Latinos • Identity Politics and Community • “Do Latinos Exist?” (Dominguez 1994) • Blurred distinction between race and ethnicity • The concept of “Latino” is an American concept • As such, it is sort of a clearinghouse term • Sometimes, hard to know what it means • Is there a “Latino Vote”?

4. The “Latino Vote” • “Courting the Latino Vote” • Analysis from CBS news (from 7/08 but basic points relevant) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKOQ96diBNQ • So what is the Latino vote?

5. Identity Politics • A bloc implies identity? • A prominent research question is the extent to which Latinos have common interests… • Share a community… • Have a common identity • In literature on Af.-Americans, a prominent theme is the concept of “linked fate.”

6. Linked Fate • “Linked fate represents a stage of identification that starts with a feeling of closeness to others who identify with the group label and involves the acceptance of the belief that individual life chances are inextricably tied to the group as a whole” (Simien, Journal of Black Studies, 35: 529-550) • Dawson, M. C. (1994). Behind the mule: Race and class in African American politics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. • Does a similar concept apply to Latinos? Why? Why not? • Does such a thing need to exist to sustain Latino identity?

7. Shared Identity • Do Guatemalans “identify” with Mexicans? • Or El Salvadorans, Hondurans, Cubans, Chileans, Colombians, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans, Argentinians, … ? • And all as “Latino”? • Probably Not… • but does this preclude the possibility of Latino Identity?

8. Latino Identity • Mobilization and Collective Action Research important here! (Why an important question?) • Social Movement research important too. • Can these things evoke “identity?” • Importance of people like César Chávez

9. Latino Identity • The role Latino politicians play is important? • Do they, can they serve as “bonding agents” in the Latino community? • We will learn about the importance of “descriptive representation” later in the quarter. • Is a Latino Identity possible?

10. Latino Identity • What factors might promote identity? • Language? Cultural mores? Shared political interests? • Could immigration issue serve as a “bonding agent”? • …or is it all just a “who cares” question?! • Flip the question around? • What if non-Latinos perceived a “Latino Identity”?

11. Perceptions of Identity • If viewed as a group by out-group members, what are the implications? • Have Latinos been tethered to the immigration issue? • Springfield, TN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcov24pcHgA • Is there an “us” vs. “them” mentality in the U.S.?

12. Social Identity Theory • Originally developed by psychologist Henri Tajfel and developed further with John Turner • Seeks to identify conditions under which identities emerge. • Note: they need not always be present • As such, group-based conflict may ebb and flow.

13. Social Identity Theory

14. Predictions of Discriminatory Behavior/Attitudes from Social Identity Theory

15. “Tajfel’s Continuum”

16. Social Identity Theory • The notion of value threat (Branscombe et al 1999) • Status Hierarchy • Context Important • Are conditions in place or nearly in place to predict Latino collective action? • Are we seeing signs of backlash toward Latinos? • If so, will this promote some kind of Latino Identity? • This is an issue in Latino politics research. • Let’s think about what political identity might look like?

17. Some Data • Pew 2004 National Survey of Latinos: Politics and Civic Participation • National survey of Latino/a individuals • Let’s turn to some simple analysis and see what we learn.

18. Attention: US-born more attentive than non US-born in survey (p=.00, two-tail).

19. Other Results • Mexican Origin slightly less attentive compared to non-Mexican origin. • Cuban Origin significantly more attentive to politics compared to non-Cubano • No significant differences in attentiveness for Central or South American descent. • Comparisons to Anglo population?

20. Party Affiliation • Why care about party affiliation? • Closed primaries • Dominance of two-party system (like it or not) • Concerns about “monolithic” vote. • Is it fair to characterize Latino/as as a singular group? • Let’s consider some data.

21. Identification: All Respondents

22. Identification: By Gender

23. Identification: By Birthplace

24. Identification by Origin: Mexican • Mexican Origin • About 14 percent identify REPUBLICAN • About 35 percent identify DEMOCRAT • About 26 percent identify INDEPENDENT • About 12 percent identify as “SOMETHING ELSE” • Take-away points?

25. Identification by Origin: Cuba • Cuban Origin • About 47 percent identify REPUBLICAN • About 19 percent identify DEMOCRAT • About 17 percent identify INDEPENDENT • About 6 percent identify as “SOMETHING ELSE” • Take-away points?

26. Identification by Origin: Puerto Rico • Puerto Rican Origin • About 16 percent identify REPUBLICAN • About 44 percent identify DEMOCRAT • About 17 percent identify INDEPENDENT • About 12 percent identify as “SOMETHING ELSE” • Take-away Points?

27. Identification: Central American • Central American Origin • 14 percent REPUBLICAN • 32 percent DEMOCRAT • 31 percent INDEPENDENT • 6 percent SOMETHING ELSE • “Leaners” 47 percent DEM

28. Identification: South American • South American Origin • 17 percent REPUBLICAN • 36 percent DEMOCRAT • 28 percent INDEPENDENT • 10 percent SOMETHING ELSE • “Leaners” 47 percent DEM

29. Implications of all of this? • Are Latino/as monolithic, in terms of partisanship? • What do these sliver of data suggest for the future? (If anything) • Can we detect a political identity? • It is clear, however, why Latinos matter! • We need to look at population statistics.