History Matters: How Does Past Immigration Affect Present Xenophobia

• In Event: 2384 - Section on International Migration Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 19. Xenophobia and Anti-Muslim Sentiment

Abstract

Previous studies explain the effect of immigration size on anti-immigrant attitude or xenophobia by ethnic competition theory and intergroup contact theory. Scholars see two theories as competing and test which one better explains empirical data. The attempt reflects a view that culture affects action through values. It ignores the fact that competition is often imminent, but contact takes time to develop. The former may be tested by immigration in the present, but the latter can only be tested by immigration in the past. We develop a new model based on toolkit theory, which considers the duration of time to develop contact. Survey data from Japan and Europe confirm that a synthesis of ethnic competition and intergroup contact explains the positive effect of present immigration and the negative effect of past immigration on xenophobia.

Authors

• Shun Gong, Tohoku University

• Zixin Li