This paper suggests that intergenerationally transmitted ancestral characteristics have a significant impact on attitudes toward immigration. Using a sub-population of second-generation immigrants from the European Social Survey (ESS), we find that historical and linguistic factors that contributed to weaker long-term orientation and higher risk aversion are associated with a greater concern, especially among medium- and low-skilled workers, about the economic consequences of immigration and the admission of poorer immigrants. The results are robust to alternative sample definitions, estimation methodology, a rich set of geographical controls, and several potential confounding factors at the country of origin level.

Who's afraid of immigration? The effect of economic preferences on tolerance

Cristina Elisa Orso
2023-01-01

Abstract

This paper suggests that intergenerationally transmitted ancestral characteristics have a significant impact on attitudes toward immigration. Using a sub-population of second-generation immigrants from the European Social Survey (ESS), we find that historical and linguistic factors that contributed to weaker long-term orientation and higher risk aversion are associated with a greater concern, especially among medium- and low-skilled workers, about the economic consequences of immigration and the admission of poorer immigrants. The results are robust to alternative sample definitions, estimation methodology, a rich set of geographical controls, and several potential confounding factors at the country of origin level.
2023
2023
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-023-00947-z
economic preferences, immigration attitudes, ancestral characteristics, cultural traits.
Kovacic, Matija; Orso, CRISTINA ELISA
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/2150368
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