Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP14821
Authors: Michal Bauer; Julie Chytilova; Vojtch Barto; Jana Cahlkov
Abstract: Aggressive behavior against out-group members often rises during periods of economic hardship and health pandemics. Here, we test the widespread concern that the Covid-19 crisis may fuel hostility against people from other nations or ethnic minorities. Using a controlled money-burning task, we elicited hostile behavior among a nationally representative sample (n=2,186) in the Czech Republic, at a time when the entire population was under lockdown. We provide causal evidence that exogenously elevating salience of the Covid-19 crisis magnifies hostility against foreigners. This behavioral response is similar across various demographic sub-groups. The results underscore the importance of not inflaming anti-foreigner sentiments and suggest that efforts to restore international trade and cooperation will need to address both social and economic damage.
Keywords: COVID-19; Health and Economic Crisis; Hostility; Intergroup Conflict; Discrimination; Experiment
JEL Codes: C90; D01; D63; D91; J15
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| COVID-19 crisis (H12) | hostility towards foreigners (F52) |
| COVID-19 concerns (I14) | hostile behavior (D74) |
| COVID-19 crisis (H12) | monetary allocations to foreigners (F35) |
| hostile behavior (D74) | monetary allocations to foreigners (F35) |