Cultural Discrimination and Behavioural Polarization

Abstract

"This paper analyses discrimination as a trigger for polarization. We distinguish between economic and social aspects of discrimination as well as between individual and regional level. Specifically, we culturally augment an economics of identity model, by explaining the choice of insider or outsider identity based on discrimination and using this choice as a predictor of individual and local degree of polarisation in cultural attitudes. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (IAB- BAMF-SOEP refugee subsample) about Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan and Eretria refugees in 2016-2019, we employ a unique approach to quantifying the polarization of individual attitudes (i.e. the individual polarization). We find consistent evidence that on individual radicalization and polarization seem to be a culturally sensitive effect on individual level in terms of being associated with perceived experienced discrimination. Yet, on regional level these feelings seem to develop mostly in places that suffer from relative economic deprivation. Finally, a cultural entropy measure for the balance between the traditional and modern attitudes in a place seems to most successfully explain the average levels of polarisation of individuals in a locality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Tubadji, A. & Dietrich, H. (2024): Cultural Discrimination and Behavioural Polarization. (ISQOLS Working Paper Series 5), 35 p., Anhang.