When does descriptive representation become substantive? Systematic luck, social power and the allocation of resources

摘要

When does a disadvantaged group's representation turn from descriptive to substantive? A disadvantaged group is systematically unlucky in the resources it receives from society. If that group uses its social power in a politically effective manner, consequently turning representation from descriptive to substantive, it can change public policies and the group's luck. I verify this claim using an original dataset examining Arab Israelis in seven mixed Israeli cities between 1995 and 2013, containing more than 6000 observations of their statistical areas differentiated by their socio-economic cluster rank. I show that, in some policy areas, Arab representation and cooperation improve Arab Israelis' well-being. This improvement increases in cities that receive substantial government support. Thus, the use of power by systematically unlucky groups helps them move into a position from which they can effectively change public policies.