Participation, immigration and subjetive perception of integration in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country

259 Participation, Immigration andSubjective Perception ofIntegration intheAutonomous Community oftheBasque Country ArkaitzFullaondo andGorkaMoreno Abstract Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, Basque society has been undergoing an intensive process of ethnocultural diversification, a consequence of the latest international migratory flows. For the Basque Country, these flows imply a new migratory cycle which, as on former occasions, helps further diversify an already diverse society. From the point of view of a cohesive society, the integration of these new migrants is a key element. What is the role of social and political participation in the integration process? This paper aims at providing an answer to the question. There may be a variety of forms and models for defining what is understood as integration. However, it is generally agreed that participation is a major factor in this integration process. This consensus is based on the fact that participation is a fundamental, democratic element which is related to political and civil rights, the community system and a society’s citizens. From the democratic viewpoint, having immigrants participate is, therefore, a fundamental aspect. In this work, we intend to analyse the relation between the participation of people of foreign origin residing in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (CAPV) and their subjective perception of integration. To this end, we based our work on the Basque Government’s Survey of the Foreign Immigrant Population (EPIE), a survey that allows us to analyse the subjective perception of integration of people of foreign origin depending on the different forms of engagement and their sociodemographic and migratory profile. The findings helped show the existence of a positive relation between participation and the perception of integration. Furthermore, it was likewise observed that the different participation profiles identified vary depending on the nature of the organisation in which they participate, the migratory stage and their socio-economic characteristics. Keywords Participation · Immigration · Diversity · Integration A. Fullaondo (*) · G. Moreno Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] © The Author(s) 2023 J. Zabalo et al. (eds.), Made-to-Measure Future(s) for Democracy?, Contributions to Political Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08608-3_14 260 1 Introduction Social participation in a society is a crucial element for the integration or exclusion of the people participating in it (Subirats, 2004). Similarly, participation is a core dimension of democratic practice. However, its definition is diverse and depends on the theoretical position (Martinez, 2018). From the academic point of view, the studies on participation are based on the analysis of the regulatory dimension (participatory procedures and a willingness to redistribute power), on the consequences of participation (empowerment and increased social capital), on the technical design and the implementation of participation devices (deliberative and participatory processes) and on the study of participation from the sectoral perspective (participation in terms of gender, sustainability or intersectionality, among others) (Martinez, 2018). With this multidimensional context, participation and immigration can be studied from a variety of dimensions, for example, the question of the right to vote and stand for election (regulatory dimension), the relation between participation and social integration (consequences of participation) or a sector analysis of immigration and participation. In any case, it is widely recognised that participation is a key element in the immigrant integration process, as it indicates, among other things, the development of citizenry as a whole (De Lucas, 2007), the expansion of rights (Schuck, 2018) and the reinforcement of more integrated and cohesive societies (Odmalm, 2005) in contexts of diversity (Kymlicka, 1995). However, the role or importance it is supposed to have may differ depending on the definition given to the concept of integration. Indeed, the concept of integration is used recurrently in migratory studies while being one of the main objectives of public policies in receiving countries. However, there is no consensus on the exact definition of the concept of integration (Godenau etal., 2014), and neither is there on the importance of participation in the integration process. The analysis of the processes of social and political participation of immigrants has become increasingly important in migratory studies since the 1960s (Rex etal., 1987) and, in recent years, internationally (Zapata etal., 2013; Vermeulen, 2010; Martiniello, 2005). Academic studies in Spain on migration also reflect this reality and have dealt with the subject, particularly given the boom and development in migratory flows in the last 25years (Pérez-Caramés, 2018). In this area, above all, there has been an analysis of issues associated with political participation on the one hand, with emphasis on aspects like access to the vote and standing for elections and electoral participation (González Ferrer, 2013), and, on the other, social and political participation through civil society associations and organisations (Moya, 2005; Aparicio & Tornós, 2010; Lacomba & Aboussi, 2017). Starting from this focus on the relation between participation and migratory processes, in this paper, we shall try to analyse the existing relation between the political and social participation of people of foreign origin residing in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (CAPV) and their process of integration in Basque society. The methodology used is based on a quantitative-type analysis of A. Fullaondo and G. Moreno 261 the Survey of the Foreign Immigrant Population (EPIE) which the Basque Government has been carrying out every 4 years since 2010. This survey is based on a sample of 2200 persons and their homes and includes information on the foreign as well as the national population of foreign origin or the naturalised population. Based on this survey, we shall analyse the political and social participation of the people of foreign origin in relation to, on the one hand, their participation in immigrant or immigrant support associations, neighbours’ associations, trade unions and political parties and, on the other, their participation in electoral processes. In this respect, we focus the analysis on the degree of participation as well as on the profile of the people participating, depending on their socio-economic, citizenship, migratory and sociodemographic characteristics. Similarly, we shall analyse the relation between participation and the subjective perception of integration. 2 Participation, Immigration andPerception ofIntegration For many years, immigrant workers have been considered temporary guests in their receiving countries and not potential citizens who are expected to be politically active; that is to say, their role in society has been considered limited exclusively to production and work (Martiniello, 2005). For this reason, the degree of importance of the political and social participation of immigrants in the integration process will vary depending on whether they are considered citizens or not with the right to participate in society and, consequently, likewise, the importance of the participation in integration policies (Ahokas, 2010). With regard to integration, participation is one of the four dimensions of immigrants’ political incorporation in receiving societies, along with the recognition of rights, identification with the host society and the adoption of democratic values and standards (Zapata etal., 2013; Martiniello, 2005). In this regard, when speaking of the political integration of immigrants, three elements need to be considered, namely, first of all, the degree of self-identification with the political system of the host country; secondly, the degree of active participation through voting and participation in the public sphere; and, thirdly, the perception of feeling heard by the authorities (Zapata etal., 2013). Along the same line, Entzinger points out that “one of the basic principles of democracy implies that all members of a political community have a share in the decision-making processes that decide on that community, its governance and its future” (1999:9). In this respect, one of the ways of relating participation with the immigrant integration process is based on their degree of social participation linked to the decision-making processes (Entzinger, 1999). The degree of political and social participation of immigrants is conditioned by the characteristics of the immigrants themselves as well as by the receiving society’s context. In a host context where migratory and integration policies generate spaces of opportunity for immigrants’ social and political participation, the degree of participation will tend to be greater. We are referring, among other aspects, to participation programmes, as well as discourses, issues which are the subject of Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous… 262 consultation and decision and access to conventional (elections, political organisations, participation processes, etc.) and non-conventional participation (mobilisation, strikes, demonstrations, civil disobedience, etc.) (Zapata etal., 2013). Thus, we can see how this host context is defined, on the one hand, by regulatory and institutional elements and, on the other, by society itself, by its individuals as well as by the collective, depending on said society’s degree of inclusion of diversity in its social realities and processes. With regard to the immigrants’ characteristics, diverse studies have shown that the immigrant’s social origin and their sociodemographic profile, such as prior political socialisation, social capital, the language, the form of migration, length of stay and the socio-economic situation in the receiving country, have an impact on participation (Ruedin, 2016; Zapata etal., 2013). Moreover, as we have already pointed out, participation is one of the factors influencing the integration process. The variety in ways to measure integration is considerable, with one of them being the subjective perception that the immigrants themselves have of their degree of integration. This indicator shows the result of the immigrant’s life experience in the host society, a life experience that the immigrants themselves evaluate by taking into consideration, among other questions, the opportunities, obstacles, rejection and support received while setting up their life project in the receiving society and on which their own prior expectations and their personal experience prior to the migratory process likewise impact (Amit & Riss, 2014). Therefore, it is an indicator which, rather than just measuring the degree of objective integration and substantiated by data or indicators, helps us understand the extent to which the immigrant feels integrated in our society (González, 2014). 3 Participation intheAssociative Network The associative network is an element that characterises contemporary societies. With a great range of types, forms, functions and characteristics, it plays an important role in articulating the community and is an essential factor of its social capital (Fernadez & Cano, 2018). Associations and organisations for culture, leisure, sports clubs, religious bodies, educational groups, etc. are spaces for social participation, not so much linked to the decision-making-related participation which Entzinger (1999) speaks of but rather to the social muscle on which a major part of society’s community and social life is structured and, therefore, where spaces for social participation and social relations are generated. A society with a broad and diverse associative network is linked to an active and full community life. In this respect, from the point of view of the integration processes of the immigrant population, it is important to know the degree of social participation of the collective in the associative network (Vecina, 2010). The EPIE does not allow us to compare the degree of participation of the population of foreign origin with the degree of participation existing in the whole of Basque society. This comparison can be made with the data from the Survey on Social Capital carried out by the Basque Institute of Statistics (Eustat). Based on this A. Fullaondo and G. Moreno 263 statistical operation, the Eustat can calculate the indicator of participation in associations and can differentiate said indicator depending on the origin of the population. The results for 2017 reveal a similar degree of participation in associations in the case of the overall population and that of foreign origin. To be precise, 98.3% of the overall population have a low degree of participation, 1.6% a medium degree and 0.1% a high degree, whereas in the case of the population of foreign origin, 98.7% have a low degree of participation, 1.3% a medium degree and 0% a high degree. Focusing on the results provided by the EPIE, in Graph 1, we can appreciate the percentage of people of foreign origin over 16years who say they participate in different kinds of associations and bodies.1 If we look at the data from 2010, we can see that participation in the associative network occurred, in the main, in sports associations (9.5%) or in religious bodies (7.9%), followed by educational and/or cultural groups (4.4%) and informal immigrant groups (3.5%). We can therefore appreciate how the participation of immigrants arriving during the first migratory wave at the beginning of the twenty-first century was concentrated mainly in the sports and religious associative network. 1 With regard to the migratory context, the data from 2010 represent the collective of foreign origin that arrived in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country during the first migratory wave, which got underway at the beginning of the twenty-first century as a consequence of the building boom. With regard to the economic and social situation, they represent the first years of the 2008 economic downturn. Lastly, 2018 was a context of migratory growth related to the recovery from the economic slump and the return to economic growth, though far from the economic expansion and welfare indicators prior to 2008. Graph 1 % of population of foreign origin >16years residing in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country and participating in the associative network. (Source: EPIE.Compiled by the authors) Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous… 264 In 2018, the results reveal a change in the type of participation. There is greater participation in educational and cultural groups (6.9%) and in informal immigrant organisations (4.1%) and a drop in participation in sports associations (6.9%) and in religious bodies (4.3%). Thus, we can appreciate how once migrants have settled and established themselves, participation is affected, the social network changes and moves, above all, to cultural and educational spaces and areas where the immigrants themselves can relate. As for the drop in the numbers involved in religious bodies, it may be associated with a greater degree of integration, as, in the initial stages of the migration process, particularly in the case of immigrants of certain origins, religious bodies provide support and assistance. Do all immigrants participate equally irrespective of their migratory and social characteristics, or are there any differences? The question is pertinent. Though there is a tendency to see the collective as a homogeneous whole or, at best, differentiated by their origin and their cultural, religious and linguistic characteristics, the truth is that the immigrant population is a highly diverse population group with internal differences as regards gender, age structure, length of stay, socio-economic situation or legal situation, among other variables. Table 1 shows the findings that help outline the profile of people over the age of 16 of foreign origin participating in each type of association and identifies several differences. First of all, in order to answer the question posed above, if we compare the result of each variable for the total population of foreign origin with that of the people who say they participate, we can appreciate a series of specific characteristics in participation and the fact that the characteristics vary depending on the type of association in which they participate. Generally speaking, based on the results from 2018, the participation profile of the immigrants who participate in informal organisations and religious bodies is more orientated to the quest for aid for reasons of necessity, associated with the migratory stage and their socio-economic situation. These types of groups and entities usually tend to be spaces for intragroup and co-ethnic community assistance, where immigrants in need go to broaden their social network and receive informal support. In the case of religious bodies, there is an added element of community religious practice. In the case of informal immigrant organisations, the profile is mainly people in financial difficulties (61.3%); in a precarious legal situation (10.9% illegal and 17.9% temporary residence); an average length of stay less than the standard (10.7years), on average; younger (38.3); and the population of African origin and the rest of the world. In the case of the religious bodies, there is a strikingly high percentage of people in financial difficulties (71.7%), an average length of stay less than what is the standard (11.4years), low to medium educational level and with origins concentrated in the rest of South America, the Maghreb and Romania and other eastern EU countries. With regard to those participating in cultural, educational and sports associations, the profile presented is, to a large extent, one of a settled immigrant who seeks to engage in the social network though they are not necessarily in any particular situation of need. These types of bodies are likewise part of the community network and can serve as spaces of assistance. However, they are more transversal, open and A. Fullaondo and G. Moreno 265 Table 1 Profile of the population of foreign origin >16 residing in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country and participating in the associative network by migratory, socio-economic and demographic variables (% vertical) 2010 2018 Informal immigrant groups Sports club Grupos Educational groups Religious bodies Total Informal immigrant groups Sports Educational club Cultural groups Bodies Total Gender Male 62.2 62.8 37.6 46.1 46.8 51.2 56.2 45.2 35.4 42.7 Female 37.8 37.2 62.4 53.9 53.2 48.8 43.8 54.8 64.6 57.3 Age (average) 36.1 33.2 35.9 38.2 35.6 38.3 37.6 40.5 41.4 41.3 Educational level No significant education 9.4 3.0 5.9 11.6 8.3 14.3 7.0 6.0 16.3 12.2 Compulsory 21.0 20.2 10.6 28.6 26.7 23.4 15.0 18.4 23.7 26.3 Secondary 35.9 31.9 32.1 29.3 35.9 24.8 31.1 28.7 38.6 30.5 VT I/II 6.9 9.3 5.2 11.1 10.3 16.3 20.7 14.7 10.1 15.2 Third-level 26.8 35.5 46.3 19.5 18.8 21.1 26.1 32.2 11.4 15.8 (continued) Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous… 266 A. Fullaondo and G. Moreno Table 1 (continued) Geographical area Western EU 1.6 15.9 12.9 7.0 12.5 3.8 15.1 13.2 3.8 8.4 Romania and other Eastern EU 1.6 5.2 6.1 8.5 10.5 5.0 6.4 6.9 12.5 9.8 Maghreb 15.8 9.8 9.4 26.2 13.8 14.2 10.9 12.3 24.4 15.1 Argentina, Chile, Uruguay 4.6 9.5 10.1 3.4 4.9 2.2 8.4 .6.7 2.1 4.1 Colombia, Ecuador, Perú 14.0 14.2 10.6 9.6 18.9 7.8 19.4 24.5 14.8 17.3 Bolivia 14.1 14.5 13.4 6.8 7.4 9.9 6.6 5.5 6.4 6.5 Paraguay 6.4 3.8 1.8 3.0 3.2 2.1 1.3 1.5 2.9 3.5 Brazil, Venezuela, Dominican R. 4.2 8.4 6.7 11.2 8.3 8.7 8.3 13.9 4.8 7.8 Rest of Latin America 4.0 7.8 7.1 5.3 5.7 7.6 9.6 5.3 16.8 9.8 China 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.1 2.6 1.9 3.1 0.8 0.7 2.3 Senegal 14.6 2.0 0.9 4.6 1.9 11.9 2.2 0.6 0.7 2.5 Rest of Africa 12.7 2.3 13.0 7.6 4.3 11.0 3.6 2.2 4.9 5.6 Rest of the World 4.7 5.4 6.4 5.6 5.9 14.1 5.1 6.6 5.2 7.4 Length stay-yrs. CAPV (average) 7.1 9.0 9.5 8.6 8.5 10.7 13.7 15.8 11.4 12.8 2010 2018 Informal immigrant groups Sports club Grupos Educational groups Religious bodies Total Informal immigrant groups Sports Educational club Cultural groups Bodies Total 267 Legal situation Spanish nationality 8.6 25.1 15.1 16.4 18.4 35.9 44.3 48.1 39.1 37.4 Permanent residence 45.5 45.1 50.9 44.2 52.6 34.4 41.7 42.0 46.0 48.6 Temporary residence 28.9 19.2 26.6 27.4 21.7 17.9 10.2 5.0 11.1 8.3 Illegal 17.1 10.6 7.4 12.0 7.4 10.9 3.7 4.2 3.9 5.1 Financial difficulties Yes 75.6 56.1 61.9 64.6 57.1 61.3 44.1 41.7 71.7 55.0 No 24.4 43.9 38.1 35.4 42.9 38.7 55.9 58.3 28.3 45.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Source: EPIE.Compiled by the authors Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous… 274 Graph 3 Population of foreign origin >18 years with Spanish nationality (%). (Source: EPIE.Compiled by the authors) In this respect, the legal framework regulating access to nationality is the main factor conditioning the degree of participation of the population of foreign origin. This is the case because the conditions for access differ depending on the country. In some cases, the number of years required to be eligible for legal residence are more and in others less. Broadly speaking, the population from Latin American countries require 2years of legal residence while the remainder, under current rules, are required to have resided 10years in the country. Consequently, when analysing and evaluating the degree of participation of people of foreign origin, it is indispensable to know the percentage of people who have obtained Spanish nationality and evaluate their degree of participation based on this element. In this respect, Graph 3 shows the percentage of population of foreign origin over 18 years who have obtained Spanish nationality. In 2018, 36.3% had obtained Spanish nationality, implying a significant increase with respect to the 18.3% in 2010. Nevertheless, even in 2010, there were notable differences according to origin, and, in 2018, these differences were even greater. In 2018, the majority of the Latin American origins recorded over 50% having obtained nationality, with countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay recording over 60%. The percentage representing Spanish nationality among the remaining origins is significantly less, 25.7% in the case of western EU, 22.8% for the Maghreb and less than 20% in the rest of cases. Moreover, the evolution in relation to 2010 clearly indicates that the increase in A. Fullaondo and G. Moreno 275 naturalisations was much greater in the case of Latin American origins and to a far lesser extent in relation to other origins. Thus, we can appreciate that the population of Latin American origin predominate among the population of foreign origin with the right to vote. With respect to the degree of participation, the electoral processes held in recent years have recorded the low participation of the immigrant collective– of those who have the right to vote and stand for election (Godenau etal., 2014)– and they are clearly underrepresented in the institutions. The findings of the EPIE reveal similar results. In 2010, only 34% of people of foreign origin over 18years of age and with Spanish nationality admitted to having participated in Autonomous Community elections (the type of elections we shall analyse), and, in 2018, the percentage rose, but only to 41.6%. The results in Table3 show the profile of the person of foreign origin who takes part in elections. Based on the data from 2018, the profile is characterised by a female voter (64.5%), with an average age of 48.5, medium to high educational level (48.1% with vocational training or higher), mainly of Latin American origin (78.6%), with an average length of residency in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country of 20.4years and reflecting a certain balance between people in no financial difficulty (55.5%) and those in financial difficulties (44.%). In comparison with the general profile, this voter profile indicates a person above the average, with a high educational level, longer time of residence and a better financial situation. As regards gender and origin, the distribution of the voter and the general profile is similar. A comparison of this profile with that of 2010 reveals that there has been a significant transformation in the type of person taking part in the Autonomous Community election. In 2010, the voter profile was characterised by being a man (56.5%) with an average age of 45.7; with a high educational level (48.3%), third level education; mainly from the EU (33.9%) and from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic (30.7%); with an average length of stay of approximately 20 years; and the vast majority in no financial difficulty (78.4%). In this respect, the comparison of both profiles indicates an evolution towards a more feminised voter, with a more diverse educational level, more Latin American and with a more balanced financial situation between those who are and are not in financial difficulties. In short, we can appreciate that, although the voter profile in 2010 was quite different from the general profile of the people of foreign origin with Spanish nationality, in 2018, the gap in the case of this profile was narrowed, revealing a voter not so different to the general profile. 5 Political andSocial Participation andSubjective Perception ofIntegration Having analysed in depth the degree of political and social participation of the population of foreign origin and the different profiles of the people taking part, we shall now focus on whether there is any relation between this participation and these Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous… 276 Table 3 Profile of population of foreign origin >18 with Spanish nationality in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country participating in Autonomous Community elections by migratory, socio-economic and demographic variables (% vertical) 2010 2018 Autonomous Community Total Autonomous Community Total Gender Male 56.3 45.0 35.5 34.1 Female 43.7 55.0 64.5 65.9 Age (average) 45.7 41.7 48.5 45.6 Level of studies No meaningful qualifications 3.1 4.0 3.2 7.2 Compulsory 19.4 23.4 19.0 22.3 Secondary 18.3 31.2 29.6 31.1 VT I/II 11.1 11.8 21.5 19.1 Third-level 48.3 29.6 26.6 20.3 Origen Western EU 19.6 12.4 7.3 7.2 Romania and other Eastern EU countries 14.0 5.9 0.8 0.4 Maghreb 9.7 11.3 6.6 9.9 Argentina, Chile, Uruguay 15.6 12.1 10.1 7.0 Columbia, Ecuador, Peru 7.1 27.0 35.1 32.2 Bolivia 0.7 1.4 8.4 10.2 Paraguay 0.3 0.3 0.6 2.1 Brazil, Venezuela, Dominican Rep. 15.1 13.4 12.1 11.8 Rest of Latin America 5.5 7.5 12.2 11.2 China 1.4 1.1 0.3 0.3 Senegal 0.1 0.2 0.4 1.1 Rest of Africa 3.3 3.5 2.3 3.3 Rest of the world 7.6 3.8 3.7 3.2 Years since they arrived in the Basque Autonomous Community(average) 19.8 15.3 20.4 17.4 Financial difficulties With difficulties 21.6 38.3 44.5 50.5 No difficulties 78.4 61.8 55.5 49.5 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Source: EPIE.Compiled by the authors people’s subjective perception of integration. Are political and social participation and subjective perception of integration related? Does participation influence this perception? The descriptive research methodology of this study does not enable us to establish explanatory or causal relations between these variables, but it does allow us to identify a series of facts. The table shows the weighted average of the subjective A. Fullaondo and G. Moreno 277 Table 4 Weighted average of the subjective perception of integration of the population of foreign origin >16 (scale 1–5)a Participating 2010 2018 Informal immigrant groups Yes 3.90 4.21 No 4.01 4.14 Immigrant support organisation Yes 3.94 4.32 No 4.01 4.14 Sports clubs or associations Yes 4.22 4.29 No 3.98 4.13 Educational and/or cultural groups Yes 4.09 4.30 No 4.00 4.13 Religious groups and bodies Yes 4.06 3.89 No 4.00 4.16 Neighbours’ associations Yes 4.32 4.30 No 4.00 4.14 Trade unions Yes 4.29 4.35 No 4.00 4.14 Political parties Yes 4.35 4.38 No 4.00 4.14 Autonomous community elections Yes 4.56 4.49 No 4.11 4.20 Source: EPIE.Compiled by the authors aIn the case of Autonomous Community elections, the weighted average is determined on the people of foreign origin >18 with Spanish nationality perception of integration where 1 is not at all integrated and 5 highly integrated, depending on participation or not in the associations, organisations and elections that we have been analysing in this work. The results show that, in general, the degree of subjective perception of integration is quite high in the case of the different items (Table4). The data point to a positive relation between participation and the perception of integration, although there are appreciable differences depending on the organisation in which they participate. In 2018, the weighted average shows that the people of foreign origin who feel most integrated are those participating in electoral processes (4.49). With respect to the organisations and associations, the perception of integration is greater among those who participate in political parties (4.38) and trade unions (4.35), followed by immigrant support organisations (4.32), neighbours’ associations (4.30), cultural and/or educational groups (4.30) and sports associations (4.29). As for perception of integration, it tends to be less among those participating in informal immigrant organisation (4.21) and religious bodies (3.89). On the other hand, in all cases, except for participation in religious bodies, perception of integration is greater among those who say they participate in comparison with those who say they do not participate. Moreover, the evolution since 2010 reveals an overall increase in the perception of integration among those who participate as well as among those who Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous… 278 do not. This increase is greater among those who participate in immigrant support organisations (+ 0.38), in informal immigrant organisations (+0.31) or in cultural and/or educational groups (+0.21). On the other hand, people participating in religious bodies lower their perception of integration by 0.17 points. In the other cases, the weighted average increases or decreases, though at a lesser intensity. These data denote that the perception of integration is greater among those who take part in electoral processes and in political and social organisations and slightly less among those participating in the associative network. In solely descriptive terms, these data appear to suggest that political integration based on political participation may have a greater impact on the perception of integration, compared with social participation in the community fabric. Political participation implies taking part or influencing the decision-making process of the host society, and, therefore, it implies a greater commitment to the public sphere in which one feels integrated. In this respect, it is plausible to think that the length of stay and attachment also affect this dynamic and result in a greater perception of integration, in such a way that those who have resided for longer participate to a greater degree in political parties and trade unions and those who have lived a shorter time, on the other hand, are more involved in religious and informal immigrant associations. At the same time, identification with the political system and a sound legal situation are aspects underlying these dynamics and facilitate a greater perception of integration. 6 Conclusions The analysis of political and social participation of the population of foreign origin in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country has allowed us to specifically identify the spheres in which said participation is carried out, the differences that exist between the profiles of the people participating and their relation with subjective perception of integration. In summary, we can conclude that, on the one hand, the population of foreign origin participate socially and politically to a similar degree as the overall population (except in the case of electoral participation), as it could not have been otherwise based on the existing regulations. What’s more the profiles of the people of foreign origin vary depending on the type of participation. And, last of all, we can appreciate a greater perception of subjective integration among the immigrants who participate. Political and social participation happens in an unequal way. In the case of participation in the associative network, it occurs mainly in cultural and/or educational and sports associations and, to a lesser extent, in informal immigrant groups and religious bodies. As for spaces of social relation, we can appreciate greater participation of a general and highly diverse nature in the associative network, which could imply a positive effect on the network of relations and social capital of the people participating in these associations. This argument is further strengthened by the data on the subjective perception of integration. The people of foreign origin taking part in educational, cultural or sports associations have a greater subjective A. Fullaondo and G. Moreno 279 perception of integration than those participating in informal immigrant groups or religious bodies. As for participation in political and social organisations, the results indicate that immigrants tend to participate to a greater extent in organisations whose mission is the defence of their rights and interests, whereas they are less involved in organisations of a more general nature. Thus, participation is greater in immigrant support organisations and trade unions and less in neighbours’ associations and political parties. In this case, there is no correlation between this differentiation and the perception of integration. With regard to participation in elections, in line with what was yielded by other studies, the degree of participation is low among the people of foreign origin with Spanish nationality, indicating a greater capacity to defend their interests in the political agenda of the institutions. On the other hand, the analysis of the profiles reveals differences and similarities in demographics, socio-economics, migration and citizenship according to the type of participation. Generally speaking, two types of profiles can be differentiated: on the one hand, that of those who are involved in immigrant organisations and, on the other, that of the rest of the organisations analysed. In the case of immigrant or immigrant support organisations, the profile is associated to a greater extent with immigrants at a more recent migratory stage, with those of African origin having specific importance, with a precarious legal situation and in financial difficulties. In the case of the rest of the organisations, though there are differences, the profile is based mainly on immigrants who are fully settled, with a high educational level, a sound legal situation, with fewer financial difficulties and where the percentage of Latin American origin is significant. In conclusion, we can see that participation in immigrant or immigrant support organisations is associated with a profile of an immigrant in need and with some sort of assistance and support, whereas in the case of the rest of organisations, participants are established immigrants with a better socio-economic situation. With regard to electoral participation, the profile is likewise associated with an established immigrant in a better socio-economic position. Coming back to the idea with which we began this work, participation is a fundamental democratic element in society and its political system. Moreover, in the case of immigrants, it is an important factor in their integration process. In this work, we have been able to corroborate this relation between participation and integration. In addition, the relation between the migratory process and participation has helped show that the type of participation can vary depending on the migratory stage and can evolve from a type of participation directed at questions related to needs and the protection of rights to another of a more general nature which is associated with greater social and political integration. In this respect, these results highlight the need to grant special importance to participation policies in the framework of integration policies that take into account the different dimensions of participation and political integration. Last of all, from the point of view of the social cohesion of an ethnoculturally diverse society such as the Basque one, it is important that the specific interests of the people of foreign origin have a place and occupy it in the decision-making space in the political agenda. Immigration laws; the legal problems associated with Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous… 280 citizenship; discrimination based on race, origin or religion; institutional or labour discrimination; language learning; and the effects of social inequality affecting them particularly are some of their many specific problems and interests because of their condition as immigrants or persons of foreign descent. References Adamson, G. 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Participation, Immigration and Subjective Perception of Integration in the Autonomous…