Date of Completion
12-13-2013
Embargo Period
12-9-2023
Keywords
Italian-American politics, elections, legislative voting behavior
Major Advisor
Jeffrey W. Ladewig
Associate Advisor
Vincent G. Moscardelli
Associate Advisor
Samuel J. Best
Associate Advisor
Oksan Bayulgen
Associate Advisor
Matthew M. Singer
Field of Study
Political science
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Open Access
Campus Access
Abstract
Even though, sociologically, the average Italian/American Member of Congress (MC) is virtually identical to his/her non-Italian/American counterpart, there are important and remarkable differences between the two that are attributable to their ethnic background. This work shows that Italian/Americans should not be dismissed as a political force just because Americans of Italian ancestry are very well integrated and assimilated within American society. In fact, regardless of the fact that their socioeconomic makeup seems to be in line with the standard socioeconomic makeup of the overall American population, there is something almost intangible about their membership in a very specific ethnic group that produces tangible, measurable, and important political consequences. Some of these consequences are described and analyzed, including where Italian/American MCs are elected, whether or not an “Italian/American electoral advantage” exists, and how Italian/American MCs behave while in office.
Recommended Citation
Praino, Rodrigo, "The Italian/American Congress: Symbolic Representation, Congressional Tenure, and Legislative Voting Behavior" (2013). Doctoral Dissertations. 269.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/dissertations/269