Ethnic Diversity and Preferences for Redistribution

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2012
Volume: 120
Issue: 1
Pages: 41 - 76

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper investigates the causal link between the ethnic diversity in a society and its inhabitants' preferences for redistribution. We exploit exogenous variation in immigrant shares stemming from a nationwide program placing refugees in municipalities throughout Sweden during 1985-94 and match data on refugee placement to panel survey data on inhabitants of the receiving municipalities. We find significant, negative effects of increased immigration on the support for redistribution. The effect is especially pronounced among high-income earners. We also establish that estimates from earlier studies failing to identify causal effects are likely to be positively biased (i.e., less negative).

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/665800
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25