Table 6: Distribution of Attributes in a Hypothetical Los Angeles Community

$\begin{array}{l|llll}
\hline & \begin{array}{l}
\text { English } \
(\%)
\end{array} & \begin{array}{l}
\text { speaking } \
(\%)
\end{array} & \begin{array}{l}
\text { Spanish speaking } \
(\%)
\end{array} & \begin{array}{l}
\text { Korean speaking } \
(\%)
\end{array} \
\hline \text { Latino } & 20 & 31 & 0 \
\text { Asian } & 17 & 0 & 14 \
\text { Black } & 10 & 0 & 0 \
\text { White } & 8 & 0 & 0
\end{array}$ Let's assume that in order to win political office in this Los Angeles community, a candidate needs to win at least 50% of the vote. Let's also assume that political entrepreneurs will try to mobilize voters along either racial or linguistic lines, using the existing identity categories listed above.
-If this is the case, what identity category or categories COULD be activated or politicized to win the election? In other words, what identity category or categories (racial or linguistic) form minimal winning coalitions?

Question

Table 6: Distribution of Attributes in a Hypothetical Los Angeles Community

$\begin{array}{l|llll}
\hline & \begin{array}{l}
\text { English } \
(\%)
\end{array} & \begin{array}{l}
\text { speaking } \
(\%)
\end{array} & \begin{array}{l}
\text { Spanish speaking } \
(\%)
\end{array} & \begin{array}{l}
\text { Korean speaking } \
(\%)
\end{array} \
\hline \text { Latino } & 20 & 31 & 0 \
\text { Asian } & 17 & 0 & 14 \
\text { Black } & 10 & 0 & 0 \
\text { White } & 8 & 0 & 0
\end{array}$ Let's assume that in order to win political office in this Los Angeles community, a candidate needs to win at least 50% of the vote. Let's also assume that political entrepreneurs will try to mobilize voters along either racial or linguistic lines, using the existing identity categories listed above.
-If this is the case, what identity category or categories COULD be activated or politicized to win the election? In other words, what identity category or categories (racial or linguistic) form minimal winning coalitions?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To form a minimal winning coalition, the category must encompass over 50% of the community. Combining the percentages for English speaking (20% Latino + 17% Asian + 10% Black + 8% White = 55%) or mobilizing the Latino community alone (31% Spanish speaking + 20% English speaking = 51%) both surpass the 50% threshold.