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  • 2022
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

The Political Effects of Immigration: Culture or Economics?

By: Alberto Alesina and Marco Tabellini
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:65
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Abstract

We review the growing literature on the political economy of immigration. First, we discuss the effects of immigration on a wide range of political and social outcomes. The existing evidence suggests that immigrants often, but not always, trigger backlash, increasing support for anti-immigrant parties and lowering preferences for redistribution and diversity among natives. Next, we unpack the channels behind the political effects of immigration, distinguishing between economic and non-economic forces. In examining the mechanisms, we highlight important mediating factors, such as misperceptions, the media, and the conditions under which inter-group contact occurs. We also outline promising avenues for future research.

Keywords

Political Backlash; Cultural Beliefs; Immigration; Political Elections; Outcome or Result

Citation

Alesina, Alberto, and Marco Tabellini. "The Political Effects of Immigration: Culture or Economics?" Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 21-069, November 2020. (Revised May 2022. Accepted at the Journal of Economic Literature.)
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About The Author

Marco E. Tabellini

Business, Government and the International Economy
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  • The Impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act on the U.S. Economy By: Marco Tabellini, Nancy Qian, Carlo Medici and Joe Long
  • Mexico, Trade, and Development By: Marco E. Tabellini
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