Institutions And The Preservation Of Cultural Traits

Anja Prummer and Jan-Peter Siedlarek

Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems from Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich

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: 2014-08-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo, nep-ger and nep-soc
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Institutions and the Preservation of Cultural Traits (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:trf:wpaper:470

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