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Interregional contact and national identity

Author

Listed:
  • Bagues, Manuel

    (University of Warwick, J-Pal, CEPR, IZA)

  • Roth, Christopher

    (University of Warwick, briq, CESifo, CAGE, CEPR)

Abstract

We study the long-run effects of contact with individuals from other regions on beliefs, preferences and national identity. We combine a natural experiment, the random assignment of male conscripts to different locations throughout Spain, with tailored survey data. Being randomly assigned to complete military service outside of one’s region of residence fosters contact with conscripts from other regions, and increases sympathy towards people from the region of service, measured several decades later. We also observe an increase in identification with Spain for individuals originating from regions with peripheral nationalism. Our evidence suggests that intergroup exposure in early adulthood can have long-lasting effects on individual preferences and national identity.

Suggested Citation

  • Bagues, Manuel & Roth, Christopher, 2020. "Interregional contact and national identity," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1318, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:1318
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    Cited by:

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    2. Leonardo Bursztyn & Thomas Chaney & Tarek Alexander & Hassan Aakaash Rao, 2022. "The Immigrant Next Door: Long-Term Contact, Generosity, and Prejudice," Working Papers hal-03870145, HAL.
    3. Cáceres-Delpiano, Julio & De Moragas, Antoni-Italo & Facchini, Gabriel & González, Ignacio, 2021. "Intergroup contact and nation building: Evidence from military service in Spain," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    4. Leonardo Bursztyn & Thomas Chaney & Tarek Alexander Hassan & Aakash Rao, 2021. "The Immigrant Next Door: Exposure, Prejudice, and Altruism," Working Papers 2021-16, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Interregional Contact ; Intergroup Exposure ; Beliefs ; Preference Formation ; Identity JEL codes: R23 ; D91 ; Z1;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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