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When Outsiders Become Insiders: Beliefs and the Persistence of Exclusionary Norms

Author

Listed:
  • Luisa Cefalà
  • Franck Irakoze
  • Pedro Naso
  • Nicholas Swanson

Abstract

Do exclusionary norms unravel as outsiders become insiders? Using a randomized trial in Burundian labor markets generating exogenous skill acquisition, we find incumbent insiders' attitudes remain largely stable while newly skilled workers rapidly adopt exclusionary beliefs resembling incumbents. New insiders become substantially less likely to view skilled workers as responsible for teaching or actively excluding outsiders, instead blaming the unskilled themselves. We interpret these shifts as motivated belief formation to reconcile one’s current status with their past, suggesting that group expansion may reinforce rather than erode exclusionary norms.

Suggested Citation

  • Luisa Cefalà & Franck Irakoze & Pedro Naso & Nicholas Swanson, 2026. "When Outsiders Become Insiders: Beliefs and the Persistence of Exclusionary Norms," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 116, pages 162-166, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:116:y:2026:p:162-166
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261047
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J43 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Agricultural Labor Markets
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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