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Terrorism and Political Attitudes: Evidence from European Social Surveys

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  • Giovanni Peri
  • Daniel I. Rees
  • Brock Smith

Abstract

Since the turn of the last century, nationalistic political parties have been gaining support in Europe. Over the same period, terror attacks have increased. Using data from European Social Surveys (ESS), we examine the effects of terror attacks involving at least one fatality on attitudes towards immigrants and government institutions. Comparing within-country responses to the ESS shortly before and after fatal terror attacks, we find little evidence of a shift in attitudes against immigrants. Consistent with “rally-around-the flag” effects documented by political scientists, ESS respondents living in the region that was attacked tend to express more trust in parliament and more satisfaction with the national government in the post- as compared to the pre-attack period. Similarly, we find evidence that particularly salient terror attacks can produce nationwide rally-around-the-flag effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Peri & Daniel I. Rees & Brock Smith, 2021. "Terrorism and Political Attitudes: Evidence from European Social Surveys," NBER Working Papers 28662, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:28662
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    Cited by:

    1. Rees, Daniel I. & Smith, Brock, 2022. "Terror attacks and election outcomes in Europe, 1970–2017," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    2. Matteo Sestito, 2023. "Identity conflict, ethnocentrism and social cohesion," AMSE Working Papers 2304, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France.
    3. Shuai Chen, 2022. "Rally Post-Terrorism," CESifo Working Paper Series 9638, CESifo.
    4. Bauer, Hannah & Schulze, Günther G., 2022. "Terror and social cohesion," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    5. Matteo Sestito, 2023. "Identity conflict, ethnocentrism and social cohesion," Working Papers halshs-03953975, HAL.
    6. K. Peren Arin & Umair Khalil & Deni Mazrekaj & Marcel Thum, 2023. "Terrorism and Misperceptions: Evidence from Europe," CESifo Working Paper Series 10476, CESifo.

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    JEL classification:

    • H56 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - National Security and War

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