Exploring selective solidarity with refugees in Germany: the role of political orientation and national glorification / Exploración de la solidaridad selectiva con los refugiados en Alemania: el papel de la orientación política y la glorificación nacional
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Studies and public opinion polls in Germany reveal double standards in the acceptance of Ukrainian versus Black/Arab and Muslim refugees. In three studies ( N = 2,839) conducted in Germany, we confirm a selective solidarity effect: Germans express more solidarity with Ukrainian compared to Afghan (Studies 1–3), Syrian and Eritrean refugees (Study 3). We further explored whether national glorification and political orientation exacerbate selective solidarity. Results were somewhat inconsistent. The interaction between refugee origin and national glorification was marginally significant (Study 1) and significant (Study 2), suggesting that concerns for the ingroup partly drive solidarity with Ukrainians. Additionally, in Study 1, the selective solidarity effect emerged more strongly among the political right, while in Study 2, selective solidarity was stronger among the political left. Finally, there was no evidence for any of the hypothesized moderation effects when aggregating allyship with Afghan, Syrian and Eritrean (compared to Ukrainian) refugees in Study 3. These inconsistencies merit further exploration for understanding the role and context sensitivity of political orientation and national glorification in predicting attitudes towards refugees.
Authors: Frank Eckerle, Tijana Karić, Adrian Rothers, Isabel Müller, Zahra Khosrowtaj, J. Christopher Cohrs
Institutions: University of Klagenfurt, Philipps University of Marburg
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,650
OpenAlex ID: W4414258290