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Identity, Beliefs, and Political Conflict

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  • Gennaioli, Nicola
  • Tabellini, Guido

Abstract

We present a theory of identity politics that builds on two ideas. First, voters identify with the social group whose interests are closest to theirs and that features the strongest policy conflict with outgroups. Second, identification causes voters to slant their beliefs toward the group's distinctive opinion. The theory yields two main implications: i) voters' beliefs are polarized and distorted along group boundaries; ii) economic shocks that induce new cleavages to emerge also bring about large changes in beliefs and preferences across many policy issues. In particular, exposure to globalization or cultural changes may induce voters to switch identities, dampening their demand for redistribution and exacerbating conflicts in other social dimensions. We show that survey evidence is consistent with these implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Gennaioli, Nicola & Tabellini, Guido, 2018. "Identity, Beliefs, and Political Conflict," CEPR Discussion Papers 13390, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13390
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H00 - Public Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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