Xenophobia and Immigrant Contact: British Public Attitudes Toward Immigrants

21 Pages Posted: 13 Aug 2009 Last revised: 7 Sep 2011

See all articles by Seth Jolly

Seth Jolly

Syracuse University

Gerald Digiusto

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

How does the presence of immigrants or minorities in a local community affect racial and xenophobic attitudes? Synthesizing public opinion, economic, and demographic data from the United Kingdom, we explore this question. By taking advantage of cross-sectional variation in minority populations, we develop and test hypotheses concerning the causal relationships among the presence of immigrant populations and xenophobic sentiments. We find that larger immigrant populations dampen xenophobic attitudes, supportive of the contact theory. In clarifying this relationship, we contribute to ongoing debates over contact theory.

Keywords: immigration, xenophobia, public opinion, United Kingdom

Suggested Citation

Jolly, Seth K. and Digiusto, Gerald, Xenophobia and Immigrant Contact: British Public Attitudes Toward Immigrants (2009). APSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1452208

Seth K. Jolly (Contact Author)

Syracuse University ( email )

Syracuse, NY 13244
United States

Gerald Digiusto

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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