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Ethnic Goods and Immigrant Assimilation

Author

Listed:
  • Ilhom Abdulloev

    (Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation in Tajikistan and IZA, Bonn)

  • Gil S. Epstein

    (Bar-Ilan University, CReAM, London and IZA, Bonn)

  • Ira N. Gang

    (Rutgers University, CReAM, London, IOS Regensburg and IZA, Bonn)

Abstract

Some immigrants try to keep their ethnicity hidden while others become ever deeply more mired in their home culture. We argue that among immigrants this struggle manifests itself in the ethnic goods they choose to consume. Different types of ethnic goods have vastly different effects on immigrant assimilation. We develop a simple theoretical model useful for capturing the consequences of this struggle, illustrating it with examples of Central Asian assimilation into the Muscovite economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilhom Abdulloev & Gil S. Epstein & Ira N. Gang, 2015. "Ethnic Goods and Immigrant Assimilation," Departmental Working Papers 201519, Rutgers University, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:rut:rutres:201519
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Abdulloev, Ilhom & Epstein, Gil S. & Gang, Ira N., 2019. "Schooling Forsaken: Education and Migration," IZA Discussion Papers 12088, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. X. Ruiz del Portal, 2017. "Optimal mixed taxation, public goods and the problem of high-skilled emigration," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 122(2), pages 97-119, October.
    3. Eiji Yamamura & Inyong Shin, 2016. "Effect of consuming imported cultural goods on trading partners’ tolerance toward immigrants: the case of Japanese anime in Korea," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 152(4), pages 681-703, November.
    4. Yamamura, Eiji & Shin, Inyong, 2014. "Effect of consuming imported cultural goods on tolerance for immigrants from trade partners: Case of Japanese anime in Korea," MPRA Paper 58467, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Akkoyunlu Åžule & Gil Epstein & Ira Gang, 2022. "Migration and University Education: An Empirical (Macro) Link," RF Berlin - CReAM Discussion Paper Series 2211, Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RF Berlin) - Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM).
    6. Nakagawa, Mariko & Sato, Yasuhiro & Tabuchi, Takatoshi & Yamamoto, Kazuhiro, 2022. "Do people accept different cultures?," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    assimilation; migrants; culture; ethnic goods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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