Attitudes Towards Immigration: a Trade‐Theoretic Approach

B-Tier
Journal: Review of International Economics
Year: 2003
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Pages: 253-267

Authors (3)

Sanoussi Bilal (not in RePEc) Jean‐Marie Grether (Université de Neuchâtel) Jaime de Melo (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

The paper uses a three‐factor (capital, low‐ and high‐skill labor), two‐household (low‐ and high‐skill individuals), two‐sector trade model to analyze the determinants of voter attitudes towards immigration under direct democracy, and to identify factors that would be coherent with both the observed increase in the skilled–unskilled wage differential and the stiffening attitudes towards low‐skill capital‐poor immigration. If the import‐competing sector is intensive in the use of low‐skill labor, and capital is the middle factor, an improvement in the terms of trade or neutral technical progress in the exporting sector leads nationals to oppose immigration of capital‐poor low‐skill households. An increase in income inequality is also likely to stiffen attitudes towards this type of capital‐poor, low‐skill immigration prevalent in Europe until recently.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:reviec:v:11:y:2003:i:2:p:253-267
Journal Field
International
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25