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  • Forthcoming
  • Article
  • Journal of Economic Literature

The Political Effects of Immigration: Culture or Economics?

By: Alberto Alesina and Marco Tabellini
  • Format:Print
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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; Social Issues; Perception

Citation

Alesina, Alberto, and Marco Tabellini. "The Political Effects of Immigration: Culture or Economics?" Journal of Economic Literature (forthcoming).
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About The Author

Marco E. Tabellini

Business, Government and the International Economy
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More from the Authors

    • 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Homeward Bound: How Migrants Seek Out Familiar Climates

    By: Marguerite Obolensky, Marco Tabellini and Charles Taylor
    • 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Black Empowerment and White Mobilization: The Effects of the Voting Rights Act

    By: Andrea Bernini, Giovanni Facchini, Marco Tabellini and Cecilia Testa
    • January 2023
    • Review of Economic Studies

    Racial Diversity and Racial Policy Preferences: The Great Migration and Civil Rights

    By: Alvaro Calderon, Vasiliki Fouka and Marco Tabellini
More from the Authors
  • Homeward Bound: How Migrants Seek Out Familiar Climates By: Marguerite Obolensky, Marco Tabellini and Charles Taylor
  • Black Empowerment and White Mobilization: The Effects of the Voting Rights Act By: Andrea Bernini, Giovanni Facchini, Marco Tabellini and Cecilia Testa
  • Racial Diversity and Racial Policy Preferences: The Great Migration and Civil Rights By: Alvaro Calderon, Vasiliki Fouka and Marco Tabellini
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