Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP17294
Authors: Pascal Achard; Sabina Albrecht; Riccardo Ghidoni; Elena Cettolin; Sigrid Suetens
Abstract: We investigate the effect of exposure to ethnic minorities on the majority’s preferences with regard to that group using individual-level panel data from the Netherlands. The data combine ethnic preferences with administrative data on refugee facilities. The study periodis marked by a sudden inflow of refugees in some neighborhoods. We find that individuals living close to refugee facilities developed a more positive attitude toward ethnic minorities and became less inclined to support anti-immigration parties. Preferences of individualsliving farther away remained unchanged. An investigation of channels suggests that the local effect is due to contact between residents and refugees.
Keywords: attitudes toward ethnic diversity; voting; refugees; panel data; immigration; discrimination; prejudice; intergroup contact
JEL Codes: J15; R23; D91; C23
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Exposure to refugees (F22) | Positive attitude toward ethnic minorities (J15) |
| Exposure to refugees (F22) | Likelihood of voting for far-right parties (K16) |
| Proximity to refugee facilities (F35) | Positive attitude toward ethnic minorities (J15) |
| Duration of exposure to refugees (C41) | Positive attitude toward ethnic minorities (J15) |
| Pre-existing right-leaning preferences (D72) | Shift away from far-right parties (P39) |