White Identity, Anti-Elitism, and Opposition to COVID-19 Restrictions in the United States. Issue 2 (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Utych, Stephen M.; Navarre, Rachel; Rhodes-Purdy, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Representation. Volume 58:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 301
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- white identity -- anti-elitism -- protest; Elections -- Periodicals; Representative government and representation -- Periodicals; 324
• DOI: 10.1080/00344893.2022.2075030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-4893

Abstract

ABSTRACT: As groups began to gather to protest COVID-19 restrictions, it became readily apparent that these groups were filled with overwhelmingly white protesters, and were led by organisations that often espoused a white nationalist message. We examine the effects of white identity on opposition to COVID-19 restrictions using original survey data. We find that white identity predicts opposition to COVID-19 mitigation measures, and that this effect persists only when individuals hold anti-elite attitudes. These effects operate above and beyond traditional predictors, such as partisanship and ideology.