Abstract

KOFF, Harlan. Migrant Participation in Local European Democracies: Understanding Social Capital through Social Movement Analysis. Migr. Inter [online]. 2005, vol.3, n.2, pp.05-28. ISSN 2594-0279.

Social capital is examined within the framework of responses to non-European Union immigration in four European cities: Lille and Toulouse, in France, and Florence and Bari, in Italy. Analysis of variations in immigrant participation in local party politics and nongovernmental organizations indicates that social capital is not a monolithic construct and qualitative differences must be included in the analysis if the role of social capital is to be understood. Social movement analysis is used to explain these differences, by examining the presence and autonomy of immigrant social-movement entrepreneurs, the character of local political opportunity structures in which these elites act, and the cultural framework that significantly influences local integration regimes.

Keywords : international migration; social capital; immigration policy; France; Italy.

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