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Cited by 1,137Migration, Refugees, and IntegrationPopulism, Right-Wing MovementsElectoral Systems and Political Participation

European Opinion About Immigration: The Role of Identities, Interests and Information

SIDES, JOHN, CITRIN, JACK·2007·British Journal of Political Science
DOI 10.1017/s0007123407000257
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Abstract

This article assesses the influence of material interests and cultural identities on European opinion about immigration. Analysis of respondents in twenty countries sampled in the 2002–03 European Social Survey demonstrates that they are unenthusiastic about high levels of immigration and typically overestimate the actual number of immigrants living in their country. At the individual level, cultural and national identity, economic interests and the level of information about immigration are all important predictors of attitudes. ‘Symbolic’ predispositions, such as preferences for cultural unity, have a stronger statistical effect than economic dissatisfaction. Variation across countries in both the level and the predictors of opposition to immigration are mostly unrelated to contextual factors cited in previous research, notably the amount of immigration into a country and the overall state of its economy. The ramifications of these findings for policy makers are discussed in the context of current debates about immigration and European integration.

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Crossref · 10.1017/s0007123407000257

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1 of 1 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Several studies find that while immigrants are seen as both economic and cultural threats, cultural threat is the more powerful factor in anti-immigrant attitudes.

    “Several studies of the sources of anti-immigrant attitudes find that while immigrants are seen as both economic and cultural threats, the cultural threat is the more powerful factor.”

    From Solidarity in diverse societies: beyond neoliberal multiculturalism and welfare chauvinism (2015) · cites this paper as Sides & Citrin, 2007

  • Most people would rather have fewer immigrants who are a net drain on the welfare state than have large numbers of immigrants who are net contributors to the welfare state.

    “For example, most people would rather have fewer immigrants who are a net drain on the welfare state than have large numbers of immigrants who are net contributors to the welfare state (Sniderman & Hagendoorn, 2007; Sides & Citrin, 2007).”

    From Solidarity in diverse societies: beyond neoliberal multiculturalism and welfare chauvinism (2015) · cites this paper as Sides & Citrin, 2007

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Authors
SIDES, J., & CITRIN, J.
Affiliations
  • George Washington University (US)
  • University of California, Berkeley (US)
ORCID
SIDES, JOHN
Venue
British Journal of Political Science
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2007-06-05
Volume
37
Issue
3
Pages
477-504
ISSN
  • 0007-1234 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-2112
DOI
10.1017/s0007123407000257
OpenAlex
W2120440585
Cited by
1,137
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 62 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 72 · 2023: 57 · 2022: 100 · 2021: 101 · 2020: 74 · 2019: 120 · 2018: 87 · 2017: 58 · 2016: 51 · 2015: 54 · 2014: 62 · 2013: 49 · 2012: 39
FWCI
68.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified)
Locations
  • British Journal of Political Science (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Migration, Refugees, and Integration
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Populism, Right-Wing Movements
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Electoral Systems and Political Participation
Keywords
immigration attitudes, cultural identity, national identity, economic interests, cultural unity, economic dissatisfaction, cross-national variation, European integration, immigration policy

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