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Social Connectedness in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Bailey, Michael
  • Kuchler, Theresa
  • Russel, Dominic
  • State, Bogdan
  • Stroebel, Johannes

Abstract

We use aggregated data from Facebook to study the structure of social networks across European regions. Social connectedness declines strongly in geographic distance and at country borders. Historical borders and unions — such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Czechoslovakia, and East/West Germany — shape present-day social connectedness over and above today’s political boundaries. All else equal, social connectedness is stronger between regions with residents of similar ages and education levels, as well as between those that share a language and religion. In contrast, region-pairs with dissimilar incomes tend to be more connected, likely due to increased migration from poorer to richer regions. We find more socially connected region-pairs to have more passenger train trips between them, even after controlling for distance and travel time. We also find that regions with a higher share of connections to other countries have higher rates of trust in the E.U. and lower rates of voting for anti-E.U. political parties.

Suggested Citation

  • Bailey, Michael & Kuchler, Theresa & Russel, Dominic & State, Bogdan & Stroebel, Johannes, 2020. "Social Connectedness in Europe," SocArXiv 3wh67, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:3wh67
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/3wh67
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ahlfeldt, Gabriel & Bald, Fabrian & Roth, Duncan & Seidel, Tobias, 2020. "Quality of life in a dynamic spatial model," CEPR Discussion Papers 15594, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    2. Bailey, Michael & Farrell, Patrick & Kuchler, Theresa & Stroebel, Johannes, 2020. "Social connectedness in urban areas," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    3. Christopher F Baum & Miguel Henry, 2020. "Socioeconomic Factors influencing the Spatial Spread of COVID-19 in the United States," London Stata Conference 2020 05, Stata Users Group.
    4. Bailey, Michael & Gupta, Abhinav & Hillenbrand, Sebastian & Kuchler, Theresa & Richmond, Robert & Stroebel, Johannes, 2021. "International trade and social connectedness," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).

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