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Migration And Trust: Evidence From West Germany After Unification

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  • Seong Hee Kim
  • Byung-Yeon Kim

Abstract

This study uses the German socio-economic panel data to investigate the effects of mass migration of East Germans on the generalized trust of West Germans who experienced the aftermath of the unification. Results suggest that West Germans¡¯ trust is negatively correlated with migration, but the persistent effect is only confined to participants in the labor markets at the time. The subsequent analysis finds that perceiving migrants as labor market competitors is a possible channel through which trust is negatively affected.

Suggested Citation

  • Seong Hee Kim & Byung-Yeon Kim, 2020. "Migration And Trust: Evidence From West Germany After Unification," Working Paper Series no139, Institute of Economic Research, Seoul National University.
    • Handle: RePEc:snu:ioerwp:no139
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    1. Ivanov, Denis, 2023. "Institutional reforms and social trust: Quasi-experimental evidence from the Caucasian states," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 829-859.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trust; Migration; Germany; Unification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General
    • C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods: General

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