Micheal Giles and Mancur Olson meet Vincent Ostrom: Jurisdiction size and Latino representations

Objective. Two theories of politics predict that jurisdictional size will have different consequences for minority representation. Ostrom and colleagues suggest that representation is enhanced in smaller jurisdictions. The work of Giles and Olson, in contrast, implies that smaller jurisdictions will reduce minority representation. We expect that smaller jurisdictions will have fewer Latino representatives on school boards and on the teaching faculty, and these representatives will have less impact on Latino students. Methods. We combine census data with school district data for 1,039 school districts in Texas. Results. All other things being equal, small school districts have lower levels of Latino representation on the school board and on faculties; the representation that does exist is less effective in generating benefits for the Latino community. Conclusions. Jurisdiction size is an important variable for quantity and quality of representation.

Micheal Giles and Mancur Olson meet Vincent Ostrom: Jurisdiction size and Latino representations Academic Article