Does everyday societal discrimination motivate political engagement? This study distinguishes between interpersonal rejection experienced in daily life versus systematic bias from institutions among racial and ethnic minorities in Great Britain.

Research Context: Drawing across disciplines to analyze political behavior, the paper explores how different forms of perceived discrimination influence civic participation.

The findings reveal a striking contrast: While political discrimination may fuel involvement for substantive or expressive reasons - motivating individuals seeking change through institutional channels - interpersonal societal rejection does not consistently produce similar effects on political motivation and action. This nuanced understanding shows that experiences with different types of discrimination have distinct impacts on minority engagement in the UK political system.

The paper argues persuasively for recognizing these differences when examining the complex relationship between perceived unfairness and democratic participation, demonstrating how institutional-level analysis alone overlooks crucial nuances about how minorities navigate their civic lives. This distinction encourages more granular examinations within political science of how various forms of discrimination shape minority citizens' pathways toward influence.