The Return of the Nativist? Why did anti-migrant parties emerge and succeed in Mumbai, fail in Bangalore, and not even emerge in Delhi?

Rahul Reddy, University of Pennsylvania

Abstract

Migration as well as group conflict has occurred throughout history. This thesis examined why in response to internal migration to Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi there are varying levels of nativism. The level of nativism was found to be high in Mumbai, medium in Delhi, and low in Bangalore. Anti-migrant sentiment was explained by political competition in Mumbai, class prejudice in Delhi, and an overlaying of class and ethnic conflict in Bangalore. I conclude that mobilization against migrants is easiest when they are largely of a specific regional or ethnic background, that there is a tipping point beyond which opposing migrants is electoral suicide, and that taken together these suggest a window of opportunity for nativist mobilization. Thirdly, the success of nativist parties is a function of the strength of national parties at the state and local level.

Discipline(s)

Asian Studies | Comparative Politics | Other Political Science | Peace and Conflict Studies | Public Policy | Urban Studies

Suggested Citation

Reddy, Rahul, "The Return of the Nativist? Why did anti-migrant parties emerge and succeed in Mumbai, fail in Bangalore, and not even emerge in Delhi?" 30 March 2009. CUREJ: College Undergraduate Research Electronic Journal, University of Pennsylvania, https://repository.upenn.edu/curej/104.