Push-Pull Factors and Immigrant Political Integration in Germany

Author: Doerschler, Peter

Source: Social Science Quarterly, Volume 87, Number 5, December 2006 , pp. 1100-1116(17)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Objectives.

Drawing specifically on the German case, I argue that individuals' motivations for immigration, or so-called push-pull factors, have a lasting impact beyond the decision to immigrate and, in fact, profoundly influence immigrants' political integration in the host country. Specifically, economic push-pull factors are likely to impede immigrants' political integration, whereas political push-pull factors lead immigrants to remain more interested and engaged in politics while abroad. Methods.

I test these hypotheses using a combination of qualitative interviews conducted in 2002 with first-generation Turkish immigrants living in Berlin, and quantitative survey data from the 1998 German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP). Results.

Results from both analyses lend considerable support to these assertions. Conclusions.

The positive findings suggest that factors unique to the immigrant experience contribute to a fundamentally different understanding of immigrants' political integration from that of natives.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2006.00418.x

Affiliations: 1: Loras College

Publication date: 2006-12-01