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Deepening or Diminishing Ethnic Divides? The Impact of Urban Migration in Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Eric Kramon

    (George Washington University)

  • Sarah Baird

    (George Washington University)

  • Joan Hamory

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Edward Miguel

    (University of California, Berkeley)

Abstract

The impact of urban migration on ethnic politics is the subject of long-standing debate. "First-generation" modernization theories predict that urban migration should reduce ethnic identification and increase trust between groups. "Second-generation" modernization perspectives argue the opposite: Urban migration may amplify ethnic identification and reduce trust. We test these competing expectations with a three-wave panel survey following more than 8,000 Kenyans over a 15-year period, providing novel evidence on the impact of urbanmigration. Using individual fixed effects regressions, we show that urban migration leads to reductions in ethnic identification; ethnicity's importance to the individual diminishes after migrating. Yet urban migration also reduces trust between ethnic groups, and trust in people generally. Urban migrants become less attached to their ethnicity but more suspicious. The results advance the literature on urbanization and politics and have implications for the potential consequences of ongoing urbanization processes around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Kramon & Sarah Baird & Joan Hamory & Edward Miguel, 2021. "Deepening or Diminishing Ethnic Divides? The Impact of Urban Migration in Kenya," Working Papers 2021-08, The George Washington University, Institute for International Economic Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:gwi:wpaper:2021-08
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Robinson, Amanda Lea, 2020. "Ethnic Diversity, Segregation and Ethnocentric Trust in Africa," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 50(1), pages 217-239, January.
    6. Edward Miguel & Joan Hamory, 2009. "Individual Ability and Selection into Migration in Kenya," Human Development Research Papers (2009 to present) HDRP-2009-45, Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), revised Sep 2009.
    7. Posner,Daniel N., 2005. "Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Africa," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521541794.
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    10. Benn Eifert & Edward Miguel & Daniel N. Posner, 2010. "Political Competition and Ethnic Identification in Africa," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(2), pages 494-510, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Bluhm & Roland Hodler & Paul Schaudt, 2021. "Ethnofederalism and Ethnic Voting," CESifo Working Paper Series 9314, CESifo.
    2. Weiss, Tim & Lounsbury, Mike & Bruton, Garry, 2024. "Survivalist Organizing in Urban Poverty Contexts," OSF Preprints 3mecq, Center for Open Science.

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