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Economic Inequality, Immigrants and Selective Solidarity: From Perceived Lack of Opportunity to In-group Favoritism

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  • Magni, Gabriele

Abstract

How does economic inequality affect support for redistribution to native citizens and immigrants? While prior studies have examined the separate effects of inequality and immigration on redistribution preferences, the interaction between inequality and communal identity has been largely overlooked. This article explains that inequality triggers selective solidarity. Individuals exposed to inequality become more supportive of redistribution – but only if the redistribution benefits native-born citizens. Inequality therefore reinforces the already popular opinion that native citizens deserve welfare priority and widens the gap between support for natives and support for immigrants. This study first provides cross-national evidence with survey data linked to contextual socio-economic indicators from advanced industrialized countries. To evaluate causally identified effects, it then presents the results of a survey experiment administered to a nationally representative sample of Italian citizens. The findings imply that economic inequality can increase support for populist radical right parties that advocate discrimination in access to welfare services based on native citizenship.

Suggested Citation

  • Magni, Gabriele, 2021. "Economic Inequality, Immigrants and Selective Solidarity: From Perceived Lack of Opportunity to In-group Favoritism," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 51(4), pages 1357-1380, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:51:y:2021:i:4:p:1357-1380_1
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    Cited by:

    1. Riccardo Bruni & Alessandro Gioffré & Maria Marino, 2022. ""In-group bias in preferences for redistribution: a survey experiment in Italy"," IREA Working Papers 202223, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Nov 2023.
    2. Christl, Michael & De Poli, Silvia & Köppl-Turyna, Monika, 2024. "Does redistribution hurt growth? An Empirical Assessment of the Redistribution-Growth Relationship in the European Union," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1414, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Federica Genovese, 2023. "Empathy, geography and immigration: Political framing of sea migrant arrivals in European media," European Union Politics, , vol. 24(4), pages 771-784, December.

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