Institutions and the Preservation of Cultural Traits

Anja Prummer and Jan-Peter Siedlarek

Cambridge Working Papers in Economics from Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge

Abstract: We offer a novel explanation for why some immigrant groups and minorities have persistent, distinctive cultural traits – the presence of a rigid institution. Such an institution is necessary for communities to not fully assimilate to the mainstream society. We distinguish between different types of institutions, such as churches, foreign-language media or ethnic business associations and ask what level of cultural distinction these institutions prefer. Any type of institution can have incentives to be extreme and select maximal cultural distinction from the mainstream society. If institutions choose positive cultural distinction, without being extremist, then a decrease in discrimination leads to reduced assimilation.

Date: 2014-10-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cul, nep-evo, nep-mig, nep-soc and nep-ure
Note: ap809
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Working Paper: Institutions And The Preservation Of Cultural Traits (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cam:camdae:1465

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