Institutionally Embedded Democratic Equalizers: Differential Political Involvement Effects of Voluntary Associations across Language Regions in Switzerland

Relying on the data of Swiss Household Panel, paper examines to what extent expressive, instrumental, and advocacy voluntary associations equalize level political involvement across language regions in Switzerland. Empirical evidence reveals that positive effects are consistently more pronounced Latin cantons than German ones. The differential can be traced back, one hand, lower engagement life among citizens cantons, which gives them greater leeway increase it as a consequence associational involvement. On other members within same type show very similar participation levels regions. Members pull newcomers those their German-speaking counterparts. size these equalizing linked internal dynamics specific each some features federal state. Anhand der Daten des Schweizer Haushalt-Panels untersucht das Paper, inwieweit expressive Vereine, instrumentelle Vereine und zur Verteidigung öffentlicher Interessen Niveau politischen Engagements den Sprachregionen Schweiz einander angleichen. Empirische Resultate zeigen, dass die positiven Effekte von Vereinen auf politisches Engagement lateinischen Kantonen durchweg stärker ausgeprägt sind als deutschen Kantonen. Einerseits lässt sich dieser Unterschied geringere politische Bürger zurückführen, ihnen einen grösseren Spielraum gibt, dieses Folge Vereinsengagements zu erhöhen. Andererseits zeigen Mitglieder innerhalb desselben Typs zwischen unterschiedlichen sehr ähnliche Beteiligungsniveaus. In ziehen Neulinge Partizipationsniveaus wie ihre deutschsprachigen Pendants. Interne Dynamiken, für jeden Verbandstyp spezifisch sind, sowie Merkmale Bundesstaates können mit dem Ausmass angleichenden Verbindung stehen. En utilisant les données du Panel suisse de ménages, l’article examine dans quelle mesure expressives, instrumentales et défense intérêts publics égalisent le niveau d’engagement politique entre régions linguistiques suisses. Les effets positifs sont systématiquement plus prononcés latins que allemands. Cette différence s’explique, d’une part, par l’engagement faible la vie citoyens latins, leur donnant une grande marge manœuvre pour l’augmenter en conséquence associatif. D’autre membres d’associations même affichent niveaux très similaires linguistiques. attirent nouveaux arrivants vers à ceux leurs homologues germanophones. L’ampleur ces égalisateurs est liée dynamiques internes propres chaque d’association certaines caractéristiques l’État fédéral suisse. active affairs represents essence democratic functioning. infancy democracy, Tocqueville (2016 [1840]) highlighted key role played by secondary stimulating “self-interest rightly understood” translating into higher Associations often described meso-level entities acting schools democracy rehearse attitudes behaviors necessary order citizens. With rise cross-country comparative research, social movements have been opportunity structure they interact with given national context (Kriesi al., 1992). this perspective, institutions considered providing an exogenous framework (Stadelmann-Steffen & Freitag, 2011) capable exerting top-down influence collective action presenting individuals both constraints opportunities (Freitag, 2006). Despite attractiveness approach, disentangling from many factors inextricably is daunting exercise. One way solve issue find set cases provide variation terms interest while at time being relatively residual contextual factors. granting great independence individual exhibit important heterogeneity content exploitation institutions, Switzerland has fertile research field respect (e.g. 2006; Manatschal Stadelmann-Steffen, 2014; Stadelmann-Steffen 2011). Drawing idea even structures contextually dependent 2011), we architecture system affects supply join Individuals joining (French Italian) gap when compared counterparts because drawn cultural institutional environment characterized By affecting members, may leave such baseline differences unaltered, them, or act equalizers decreasing them. Which three outcomes occurs influenced between regional contexts functioning different types associations, whose raison d’être implies relative homogeneity members’ For relying bureaucratic configuration, also partly explains through presence central peak organizations local chapters cantonal Baglioni, 2003). following question: To regions11 While would most appropriate units examine, statistical power required panel models employ focus able endogeneity issues cross-sectional approaches, could not get reliable estimates focusing single fine-grained groupings composed number respondents. We attribute based official or, for multilingual spoken majority residents. hence Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchatel, Ticino, Vaud, Wallis. Aargau, Appenzell Inner-Rhodes, Outer-Rhodes, Basle-City, Basle-Country, Bern, Glarus, Graubünden, Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gall, Thurgau, Uri, Zug, Zurich. institutions? Answering question only if wants delve links shows institutions; implications since low pervasive phenomenon advanced democracies, particular (Siaroff, 2009). Democratic equitable all constituencies affected contributed genesis. operationalize involvement, consider general measure politics supposed capture genuine concern world propensity take part polls evaluate impact participation. cautious about giving causal interpretation derive, our approach us leverage control affect existing literature. empirical findings reveal Switzerland’s its side coin ceiling effect newcomers, high already makes before limits additional increments type. addition, organized along influencing chapters. imply ability bridge gaps needs closely evaluated relation embedded. remainder structured follows. next section, review literature explaining why relevant effects, illustrate peculiarities state landscape. section provides description methodological developed estimate cantons. then present results, interpreting main patterns discussion. conclude highlighting well limitations. Voluntary belong realm civil society, peculiar domain intersection contradictory forces governing private (intimacy), public (power), market (instrumentality) spheres (Seippel, 2005). Civil society logics any (intimacy, power, utility maximization), but completely disconnected therefore embody Depending strength type, distinguish ideal associations: (Van Meer broad categories do match detailed covered survey data, compatible used papers theoretical frameworks Kriesi 2003) few attempts derive typologies Roßteutscher Van Deth, 2002). ternary solution encompassing well-differentiated typology fits list provided on. Expressive groups sports clubs, associations) cater physical, emotional, members. Instrumental tenants’ groups, unions) centered defending interests. Advocacy environmental organizations, charitable protecting promoting goods. Thinking shaped membership, two ideal-typical forms institutionalized voting minimal acceptation workings letting one’s voice heard either delegation decision-making elected officials (representative democracy) expression preference regarding policy (direct democracy). Existing norms peer pressure Fieldhouse 2020). As such, turns habitual does require personal elaboration investment (aside vote). leads regular exposure discussion matters go beyond duties showing attachment sphere. This kind goes requires assimilation “civic habits” make value itself Almond Verba, 1965). Most underlines strong link membership (often implicitly) interpreted terms. If actually exert said “schools democracy,” teaching system. Recently, authors challenged view arguing reality “pools democracy” Ingen Meer, 2016). Instead stronger explained fact attract who highly involved experience after joining. controversy views mainly discuss below. indeed positively happen four mechanisms: knowledge Mcclurg, 2003), politically skills Baggetta, 2009), Kelman, 1958), normative evaluation Lazer 2010). relevance mechanisms varies according macro-types introduced above. likely mechanism apolitical 2005), acquisition new information play instrumental (McKenzie, 1996). Furthermore, horizon-broadening importance interests, unions (Mosimann Pontusson, 2017). lead transpose passion stand arena, spurring duty (Selle Strømsnes, 1998). Active opposed passive cited requirement (Almond frequency interaction expertise particularly elements (Eveland Hively, At time, checkbook distant soothe conscience contributing causes believe writing check receiving newsletter return (Skocpol, 1999), growing phenomenon, especially associations. newsletters informational channel another strand highlights sense belonging “imagined communities” (Anderson, 1991) generate pro-social reduce alienation. seen symbols effectiveness action, reservoirs capital rather socialization agents (Wollebæk Selle, 2007). above, group 26 up peculiarities: direct (Vatter, autonomy workings. considerable exploit options offered no canton fully embraces representative adherence notion implications, example parliaments, much areas (Ladner, Delegating representatives government takes responsibility core conception democracy. end, plays subsidiary placing center project, directly involving possible decisions. particular, accessible frequently elsewhere. extreme case, compulsory cannot freely opt out Heterogeneous practices parts Switzerland, date back 19th century, exerted long-term socializing dominant outlook areas. Citizens attitudinal interested politics, normatively attached duty, elections (Wernli, translate landscape study. neo-institutionalist perspective imprint behavior Hall Taylor, right kind, and, generally, stock Direct appears offer rules game stimulate involvement.22 reality, Freitag (2011) show, pure However, appreciated delving specificities every canton, binary classification sake simplicity, exceed associated highlight virtues offering influence, generates incentives encapsulate articulate interests groups. Beyond search creation deliberative spaces indirectly spur solidarity trust, turn conducive life. Indeed, that, ones, vibrant life, larger become 2004; Ackermann, 2003; Traunmüller 2012). contrast, tendency delegate ties friends family differ use explain related beliefs. dimension origin linguistic divide “Language vehicle cross-cultural object. Language clearly recognizable culture lent readily systematic study theory-building” (Hofstede, 1980: 34). words, means traits created transmitted generations. put briefly, Hofstede (1980) found cultures. tolerance subordination former latter. (2009) French-, Italian-, share worlds neighboring countries, cemented media artistic production. consequence, formal activities resembles countries region. Therefore, differentiating contribute sphere region received attention, there little available Moreover, aware alternative hypotheses regard. First, average citizen should change association. activists mirrors certain geographic area (Roßteutscher, was unaltered. When correlating people vote level, Ackermann (2014: 74–75) significant variables. consistent second scenario. beliefs result grew in, inertial (Prior, pre-associational experiences so expected Again, It empirically scenario first joiners compare unusually rich municipal crossing al. (2012: 129–131) Gundelach (2015) angle. They better municipality resides she uses her household. exception Italian-speaking households, lower-than-average moving German- French-speaking cities. continue strongly early Excluding category Italian speakers potential self-selection movers move to, immutably interiorized throughout individual’s course, modify residents’ malleable leaves open possibility context, i.e. association joins. Assuming modifying joiners, purposes still need determine whether widen narrow widening third consider. were rest proportional proportionally ones increase. studies above identify over against expectation. acts selection influences likelihood Still, actively (Freitag 2014: 47–48; 2012: 104–105). words: surrounding quite regions, once barriers/incentives controlled inside inner fourth last scenario, expect situation education Verba 1995). Since embedded generally begin (when cantons). Hence, so. Besides similarity federalism. fact, “Swiss federations and/or chapters” 2003: 6). Unfortunately, Baglioni specify configuration. using (SHP) (2021). SHP random sample households population 1999. includes several questions (sports associations), (tenants’ parents’ unions), organization (environmental groups). waves ask 1999–2009, 2011, 2014, 2017. types, membership. Regarding outcome variables, dichotomy sketched (interest politics) behavioral (participation polls).33 mode typical model wanted include variable operationalizing elections. intentions framed trigger