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The Rationality behind Immigration Preferences

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Author Info
Hendrik P. van Dalen () (Faculty of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam)
Kène Henkens (Faculty of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam)

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Abstract

What drives stated preferences about the number of foreigners? Is it self-interest as stressed by the political economy of immigration? Does social interaction affect this preference or is the immigration preference completely in line with the preference for the aggregate population size? In this paper we distinguish each of these categories and show for the case of the Netherlands that each of these elements applies although the effect of population size preference and the self-interest are the most important elements. There is a clear divide across educational levels as the lower educated are more against immigration than the highly educated. Experience with foreigners arising from social contact matters in positively appreciating immigrants, especially if one meets (non-western) foreigners at work and school. Contact with foreigners while going out decreases the preference for immigrants. The ethnic composition of the neighbourhood in which one lives does not ex! ert a significant effect on the evaluation of the number of foreigners present. The biggest effect on immigration preferences is, however, the aggregate population size preference of respondents.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Tinbergen Institute in its series Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers with number 04-002/1.

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Date of creation: 01 Jun 2004
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:uvatin:20040002

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Related research
Keywords: Immigration; population; social interaction; public choice;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
J - Labor and Demographic Economics
J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, and Vacancies - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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  1. Albert Saiz, 2003. "Room in the Kitchen for the Melting Pot: Immigration and Rental Prices," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 85(3), pages 502-521, 05. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Sollner, Fritz, 1999. " A Note on the Political Economy of Immigration," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 100(3-4), pages 245-51, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. George J. Borjas, 1994. "The Economic Benefits from Immigration," NBER Working Papers 4955, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  4. Quibria, M G, 1990. "On International Migration and the Social Welfare Function," Bulletin of Economic Research, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(2), pages 141-53, April.
  5. Krieger, Tim, 2003. " Voting on Low-Skill Immigration under Different Pension Regimes," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 117(1-2), pages 51-78, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  6. Bauer, Thomas K. & Lofstrom, Magnus & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2000. "Immigration Policy, Assimilation of Immigrants and Natives' Sentiments towards Immigrants: Evidence from 12 OECD-Countries," IZA Discussion Papers 187, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
  7. Benhabib, Jess, 1996. "On the political economy of immigration," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 40(9), pages 1737-1743, December. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  8. George J. Borjas, 2003. "The Labor Demand Curve Is Downward Sloping: Reexamining The Impact Of Immigration On The Labor Market," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 118(4), pages 1335-1374, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  9. Stephen Drinkwater & Paul Levine & Emanuela Lotti & Joseph Pearlman, 2003. "The Economic Impact of Migration: A Survey," Department of Economics Discussion Papers 0103, Department of Economics, University of Surrey. [Downloadable!]
  10. Paul Demeny, 2003. "Population Policy Dilemmas in Europe at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 29(1), pages 1-28. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  11. Hans-Werner Sinn & Martin Werding, 2001. "Immigration Following EU Eastern Enlargement," CESifo Forum, Ifo Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 2(2), pages 40-47, October. [Downloadable!]
  12. Alexander Kemnitz, 2003. "Immigration, Unemployment and Pensions," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 105(1), pages 31-48, 03. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  13. Kjetil Storesletten, 2003. "Fiscal Implications of Immigration-A Net Present Value Calculation," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 105(3), pages 487-506, 09. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
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