Factors influencing the numerical representation of citizens of Arab origin in the French National Assembly

摘要

France now hosts the largest Arab population in Europe, most of which is Muslim. An often portrayed scenario is the possible “Arabization” or “Islamization” of France during the coming decades as a consequence of the numerical growth and the claimed religious motivation of members of the Arab Diaspora in the French Republic. The transformation of France into an Arab or Muslim state necessitates that national political institutions be held by French Arab or Muslim citizens. Therefore, an in-depth examination of the political power French citizens of Arab origin have in one of the most important political institutions, the National Assembly, is necessary. An evaluation of the three factors that influence the numerical representation of French citizens of Arab origin in the Assembly: (1) the political trends prevailing among members of the Arab Diaspora; (2) the political trends prevailing within the French receiving society; and (3) the political consequences of the electoral system as it operates within the political parties as well as in the general elections proves their underrepresentation. Hence, the Arab Diaspora is not in the position of altering France to become an Arab or a Muslim state in the near future even though some of its members have seriously tried to challenge the well-entrenched republican-secular model.View full textDownload full textKeywordsFrance, Arab Diaspora, receiving society, representation, electionsRelated var addthis_config = { ui_cobrand: "Taylor & Francis Online", services_compact: "citeulike,netvibes,twitter,technorati,delicious,linkedin,facebook,stumbleupon,digg,google,more", pubid: "ra-4dff56cd6bb1830b" }; Add to shortlist Link Permalink http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1528817X.2010.626174