Organizational Networks and Political Engagement of Organizations

Abstract

In this chapter Pilati integrates the previous analyses on the civic and political engagement of individual migrants with the analysis of organizational networks and the political engagement of organizations. The chapter shows that most activities by migrant organizations in Milan are concentrated on service-delivery and provision while political activities play a limited role only In addition, organizational networks and, therefore, their effects on political engagement of organizations, differ depending on the ethnic group considered. Pilati argues that among Egyptians, links that organizations build with other organizations are crucial for accessing all different kinds of political activities. In contrast, among Filipinos, isolated organizations or small clusters of ethnic organizations are not likely to facilitate access to the political sphere.