Integration av utrikes födda i samhället och i politiken : En empirisk studie av Sveriges kommuner mandatperioderna 1994–2014

Sammanfattning: By examining if the proportion of foreign born representatives – in Swedish municipal councils – connects to the integration of the same group in society, this paper tests the theoretical notion that it matters who the representatives are. Briefly, the hypothesis is inspired by Anne Phillips’ thought that political interests and priorities can derive from people’s experiences. The thesis uses municipal panel data which extends over the years 1994–2014. In the regression analysis, fixed effects and control variables are applied on a time-specific basis and municipality level. In short, the results in this paper suggests that the proportion of foreign born representatives tends to affect the integration of the same group in society under certain circumstances. When including control variables and time fixed effects, the independent variable share of foreign born in municipal councils is still statistically significant. But when municipality fixed effects are included, the explanatory variable struggles. Although, a reason for this may be that the variability of variables within the municipalities is too small during the investigated time period. With this in mind, substantial recommendations are given for future research in the field.  Finally, in order to strengthen the theoretical assumption that political interests and priorities among the representatives may vary depending on whether they are natives or foreigners, this paper also present relevant survey data regarding members of subnational councils in Sweden. By studying the answers concerning the representative’s origin, and how it corresponds to the self-perceived priority of representing immigrants and refugee’s interests, we can get a better understanding of how the representation of foreigners might affect the policy outcome. Primarily, the result in this passage indicates that foreigners do consider themselves to represent immigrants and refugee’s interests to a greater extent than natives. Secondarily, the result also indicates that foreigners from countries outside of Europe are most likely to prioritize this area of responsibility, of all investigated groups.