The National Ethnic Politics Study (NEPS): Ethnic Pluralism

& Politics in the 21st Century

May 12, 2005

Vincent L. Hutchings, Cara J. Wong, Ron E. Brown, James S. Jackson, Nakesha Faison

Study Information

Funding Sources: National Science Foundation, University of Michigan, Carnegie Corporation.

Field Period: August 2004 to February 2005.

Expands on the 1984-1996 National Black Election Studies, 2000-01 National Asian American Politics Study, 1989-90 Latino National Political Survey, and the National Election Studies.

Survey Organization: DataStat Inc., survey research organization.

Sample Design

3,339 telephone interviews throughout U.S with respondents 18 & older.

– 756 Black Americans

– 919 Non-Hispanic Whites

– 404 Caribbean Blacks

– 757 Hispanics

– 503 Asian Americans English and Spanish speaking persons.

“Which do you feel best describes your racial background?”

1. BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN2. WHITE3. AMERICAN INDIAN or ALASKAN NATIVE4. ASIAN5. PACIFIC ISLANDER6. HISPANIC or LATINO

If R gives multiple responses or says “Other/Mixed/Bi-Racial” Iwer asks:“Which one best describes your race?”

Race Question

Eligibility for Caribbean Sample

R says “Yes” to question “Do you consider yourself of Caribbean or West Indian descent?”

R says “No” to above question, but says “Yes” to the following question: “Are you or any of your ancestors from any of the following countries: Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Guyana, Haiti or Panama?”

– Respondents from these 6 countries are most likely to say “No” to the first Caribbean eligibility question

Eligibility for Hispanic Sample

If R says “Hispanic & Black” to race question & “Yes” to Caribbean question = Caribbean.

If R says “Hispanic” (only) to race question & “Yes” to Caribbean question = Hispanic.

If R says “Hispanic & non-Black race” to race question & “Yes” to Caribbean question = Hispanic.

Asian Ethnic Groups

Chinese 279 56%Korean 66 13%Japanese 43 9%Vietnamese 34 7%

4 Countries Represent 85% of Asian sample

(unweighted)

Ethnicities Most Represented

Hispanic Ethnic Groups

Mexican 468 57%Puerto Rican 75 9%Cuban 55 7%Dominican 44 5%

4 Countries Represent 78% of Hispanic sample

(unweighted)

Subjects Covered in Survey

Demographics. Political Knowledge, Candidate Preferences &

Political Behavior. Racial Attitudes, Policy Preferences, Partisan

Preferences & Ideology. Racial, Ethnic, & National Identity and

Patriotism. Religious Views & Practices. Subjective Financial Assessment.

General Research Objectives

Gather comparative data about political attitudes, beliefs, aspirations, and behaviors in order to advance the study & knowledge of race and ethnic involvement in politics.

Examine how identity, consciousness, ideological beliefs, socio-demographic, social and economic status factors influence the political lives of people that differ in ethnic and racial background, immigration and citizenship status, and geographical dispersion.

NPS Conceptual Model

Acculturation/‘Cultural Integration’

Values

Ethnic Identity

Group Consciousness

Sense of Collective Obligations

Religious Public Involvement

Racial Attitudes/Inter-Group Interactions

Candidate Preferences

PolicyPreferences

Political Attitudes& Activities

NPS Study Goals

1. Examine the following concepts across the 5 study groups:

Group identity & consciousness. Organizational attachments. Party identification & political ideology. Policy preferences. Candidate preferences & evaluations. Out-group stereotypes & attitudes. Attitudes concerning civil rights & civil liberties. Levels of political participation. Attitudes about party responsiveness to groups.

NPS Study Goals

2. Explore relationships between concepts:

3. Assess the extent to which the study groups view out-groups as potential competitors or allies in achieving their political objectives

Group Consciousness

Informal & FormalGroup Affiliation

Engagement InPolitical Action

Candidate Preferences& Evaluation

Sample Socio-Demographics*

Black White Caribbean Hispanic Asian

Age (mean) 46 51 42 40 40

Education(HS or more)

87% 96% 85% 72% 98%

Family Income (median)

$40,000 $60,000 $48,000 $34,000 $80,000

Female 63% 57% 64% 57% 41%

Homeowner 54% 79% 47% 50% 72%

Married 33% 57% 36% 52% 61%

U.S. Born 97% 94% 48% 46% 25%

* Preliminary, Unweighted Results

Outcomes of the NPS

In-depth data on important Black American, Caribbean Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and Non-Hispanic White populations at the beginning of the new century.

Data that go beyond demographic and economic descriptions.

Important social, behavioral and attitudinal data for new scientific discoveries and public policy relevant decision-making.

Samples large enough to investigate within group differences and similarities (including contextual influences).

Tremendous resource for new investigators interested in ethnic and racial diversity in political attitudes and behaviors.

Preliminary Results & Comparisons

How do racial/ethnic groups differ on various measures?

How do results from the NEPS compare to the NES?

How do results from the NEPS compare to the NBES?

How do results from NEPS compare with the 2000-2001 Pilot National Asian American Political Study (PNAAPS)?

Party ID Among Blacks: Comparing NEPS & NES

0.09

0.84

0.06

0.81

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Blacks (NEPS) Blacks (NES-2004)

Republican Democrat

Party ID Among Whites: Comparing NEPS & NES

0.430.49 0.48

0.42

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Whites (NEPS) Whites (NES-2004)

Republican Democrat

Party Identification by Race

0.09

0.84

0.430.49

0.29

0.58

0.32

0.57

0.12

0.83

00.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Blacks Whites Hispanics AsianAmerican

Carribean

Republican Democrat

Presidential Approval Ratings

0.20

0.51 0.52

0.4

0.26

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Blacks Whites Hispanics AsianAmerican

Caribbeans

% Who Approve of Bush's Job as President

Perceptions of Linked Fate Among Blacks (1984-2005)

0.63 0.64

0.730.68

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

NBES (1984) NBPS (1993-1994) NBES (1996) NEPS (2004-2005)

% With Sense of Linked Fate

Perceptions of Linked Fate Among Asian Americans

0.65

0.49

NEPS PNAAPS (2000-2001)

% With Sense of Linked Fate

Perceptions of Linked Fate

0.68

0.59

0.46

0.65

0.54

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Blacks Whites Hispanics AsianAmerican

Caribbeans

Linked Fate Attitudes

Is Being American More Important Than Your Race?

0.15

0.66

0.160.21 0.22

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Blacks Whites Hispanics AsianAmerican

Caribbeans

% Agreeing that American is Primary Identity

“America Hasn’t Dealt Fairly With My Group”

0.80

0.15

0.47 0.470.54

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Blacks Whites Hispanics AsianAmerican

Caribbeans

% Who Agree US Hasn't Dealt Fairly with their group