The Differing Political Effects of American Nationalism by Race and Ethnicity

• In Event: Cultural and Economic Motives in Public Opinion and Voting Behavior

Abstract

Many populist parties promote nationalistic country-first policy platforms. In the United States, the Republican Party has increasingly adopted nationalistic policies such as opposition to immigration and multilateralism, culminating in the election of Donald Trump in 2016. The increasing salience of nationalism in American politics raises several important questions. First, has nationalism increased over time? Second, has the link between nationalism and support for the Republican Party increased over time? Third, given similar levels of support for nationalism among White, Black, and Latinx Americans (in GSS data) are they equally susceptible to the Republican Party’s nationalistic appeals? We examine the prevalence and political effects of nationalism in the General Social Survey national identity modules (1996, 2004, 2014), American National Election Studies (2012, 2016, 2020), and the Voter Study Group panel (2016-2019). Analyses yield several clear findings: (1) levels of nationalism have not increased over time in GSS data, (2) the link between nationalism and Republican identification has increased over time among White Americans and nationalism drives Republican support in panel data, (3) the link between nationalism and Republican identification remain weak or nonexistent among Black and Latinx Americans; (4) the strength of ethnic/racial identity decreases the link between nationalism and Republican identification among Black and Latinx Americans. The findings raise important questions about whether the political effects of nationalism are confined to a nation’s ethnic or racial majority.

Authors

• Leonie Huddy, SUNY, Stony Brook

• Alessandro Del Ponte, The University of Alabama

• Jacob Allen Martin