POSC328 10/15 KUO

Social Exclusion and Political Identity

• Core Thesis: Social exclusion based on racial/ethnic identity affects political identity and partisanship, especially for Asian Americans.

• Hypothesis: Individuals feeling excluded by a political party due to racial/ethnic identity are less likely to perceive that party as serving their interests, influencing their support.

• Methodology: Utilized surveys and laboratory experiments to gather empirical evidence.

• Key Findings:

  • Significant support for the hypothesis: Asian Americans exhibit strong affiliation with Democrats, correlating with feelings of social exclusion (measured through racial victimization).

  • Experimental data shows subjected Asian Americans display more favorable attitudes towards the Democratic Party when prompted with social exclusion cues.

• Demographic Insights:

  • Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S., making up 5% of the population.

  • Dramatic increases in Democratic identification since the 2008 and 2012 elections point to partisan realignment among Asian voters.

• Social Identity Theory: Group membership and social identity are crucial in shaping political attitudes; individuals may react defensively against perceived exclusion.

• Implications: Findings suggest Democrats may retain minority support, particularly from groups feeling socially excluded; invites further research on social exclusion's effects on wide-ranging ethnic groups.

• Research Gaps: Limited existing literature on Asian American political behavior and identity in comparison to other minority groups, necessitating deeper exploration into distinct Asian American partisan alignment.