Studies assessing the effects of race and ethnic group identity on political behavior are recognized as important components of a general theory of citizen political participation. These studies have investigated ethnic voting patterns and have found high levels of ethnic vote cohesion. In addition, they have examined patterns of ethnic political mobilization stemming from the development of an ethnic political culture which stresses high levels of political involvement among ethnic identifiers independent of each identifier's socio-economic status. Although many of these investigations have been useful in illustrating outcomes from ethnic involvement in American Politics, they have failed to provide a theoretical link between ethnic identity and political participation. As a result, little attention has been directed toward assessing why, and the conditions under which ethnic group identity affects political attitudes and behavior. This planning grant activity of the Minority Research Initiation Program is directed at filling this void. The researcher develops a theoretical framework for understanding how ethnic group identity shapes political behavior and formulates a survey questionnaire for acquiring information on elite and small attitudes and behavior. The researcher also develops a political profile of Asian, Black, and Hispanic communities in Los Angeles, California and analyzes the structure of networks operating in these communities. Finally, in order to assess mobilization and cohesion in ethnic communities, the researcher devotes attention to the identification of salient issues and causes within each community.
