Representation and inequality in local politics
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Representation and inequality in local politics

This research project aims to investigate patterns of representation and inequality in German local politics. Three key aspects are taken into account to explain the patterns of representation: firstly, the unequal participation rates in electoral districts, secondly, the voting behaviour in small districts, and thirdly, the effects of local electoral law regulations.

Based on a variety of textual data sources (local manifestos and coalition agreements, minutes of the local council meetings) and relying on automated text analysis techniques, we assess to what extent neighbourhoods are fairly represented in municipal politics. The project is funded by the German Research Council (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) over three years (2020-2022).

News:

Dr. Martin Gross (12.06.2022) in "MDR Sachsen" on the topic: Decide, vote, have a say - why local elections are so important.

 

New project publication  (22.04.2022):

  • Nyhuis D., J. Velimsky. S. Block & M. Gross 2022: Die Kommunalwahlen in Nordrhein-Westfalen im September 2020: Starke Grüne und weiterer Absturz der SPD im Zeichen der Covid-19-Pandemie. Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen, 53 (1): 120-134. 10.5771/0340-1758-2022-1-120

 

Dr. Martin Gross (19.03.2022) in "Hallo Muenchen (p.2)" on the topic: Can we do democracy?
No political system without voluntary engagement.

 

Dr. Martin Gross (27.10.2021) in "Süddeutsche Zeitung" on the topic: Citizens' initiatives. Can it be done faster?

 

Dr. Martin Gross (15.10.2021) in "Gießener Allgemeine" on the Topic: Limiting tenure?

 

Dr. Martin Gross (25.04.2021) in "Süddeutsche Zeitung" on the topic: How to separate career and political interests.

 

The first project publication is released now (13.04.2021):

 

First project results presented at SPSA annual congress (05.02.2021):

  • Sebastian Block, Dominic Nyhuis, Marin Gross and Jan Velimsky: Representing the environment in local politics: A quantitative text analysis of parliamentary questions in German city councils