The Politics of Exclusion: Explaining Anti-Immigration Attitudes in Africa
Year: 2013
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Does political competition shape attitudes toward immigration? We examine the political conditions under which individuals are more likely to oppose immigration. Using multilevel regression analysis with survey data from African countries, we find evidence that opposition to immigration is more likely among individuals in African countries that are more democratic, that have dominant party systems, and when the survey is conducted close to a national election. These results provide empirical support for the notion that attitudes toward immigration are shaped in part by political competition. Our analysis also shows that the African experience contradicts previous research from other regions. Specifically, opposition to immigration is more likely in African countries with higher levels of economic development and higher levels of ethnic diversity. In the end, these findings suggest a need to re-think broader comparative theories about immigration attitudes and to give greater attention to political factors.
Source: SSRN Electronic Journal
Authors: Beth Elise Whitaker, Jason Giersch
Institution: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W108190193