Abstract
This paper explores the motivation of 17 highly active Latin American immigrants in 6
European countries, using interviews from the POLITIS database of 176 interviews of
civically active immigrants. It argues that there is a distinct notion of Latin American
political culture, and that this notion can be identified in the interviews of the immigrant
activists. Three types of activists have been identified which link their motivation in
different ways to their Latin American background: The old leftist political activists
clearly relate to their socialisation in the struggle against dictatorships and have adjusted
their political engagement to their immigrant situation; the cultural activists relate to the
positive aspects of Latin American heritage and culture and their function for
integration; the young antidiscrimination activists integrate in academic or other groups
and base their claims for equality in these contexts. While all interviewees make
references to the general situation and their personal situation in their countries of origin
which show similarities between Latin American countries, specifically the cultural
activists in non-Latin European countries use the notion of Latin America as a taken for
granted concept.
The role of Latin Americanness for Immigrant Activism in Europe. An exploration of qualitative interviews with Latin-American leaders