A cross-national examination of prejudice toward immigrants: the role of education and political ideology. Issue 4 (10th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Erhart, Ryan
• Is Part Of: Journal of aggression, conflict and peace research. Volume 8:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 279
• Page End: 289
• Publication Date: 2016-10-10
• Subjects: Education -- Immigrants -- Political ideology -- National identity -- Cross-national -- Prejudice; Aggressiveness -- Periodicals; Conflict management -- Periodicals; Family violence -- Periodicals; Peace building -- Periodicals; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1108/JACPR-02-2016-0212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-6599

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: More than ever before, people from around the world are migrating away from their country of birth. Yet citizens of host countries do not always welcome these immigrants – instead, citizens sometimes express prejudice toward them. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence attitudes toward immigrants cross-nationally. Design/methodology/approach: Secondary data from the International Social Survey Programme, which includes data from 30 countries across two time points, were analyzed. Findings: Findings indicate that people with higher level of education tend to have more favorable attitudes toward immigrants, while those with more politically conservative leanings and those with a greater sense of national identity tend to hold more prejudicial attitudes toward immigrants. At the country/regional level, education is consistent in its relationship with more favorable attitudes. However, political conservatism is less consistent in predicting prejudice – the relationship is strong in western democracies, but is largely negligible in other parts of the world. Originality/value: The present analyses carry implications for improving anti-immigrant prejudice throughout the world.