National Identity and Religious Diversity

Kenneth Harttgen and Matthias Opfinger

No 2012-07, Research Papers in Economics from University of Trier, Department of Economics

Abstract: We construct a simple index for national identity using information from the World Values Survey on peoples’ attitudes towards the nation. We then analyze the relationship between national identity and religious diversity. The results show that religious diversity is significantly and negatively related to national identity. We also find support for the previous finding that ethnic diversity does not seem to be related to national identity. Apparently, religious diversity and the feeling of heterogeneity that goes along with it prevents people from forming a common identity. Besides, our results indicate that there is a negative correlation between national identity and the level of income. The prevention of discrimination against minority groups follows as an important policy advice.

Keywords: National Identity; Religious Diversity; Identity Formation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J15 O1 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 22 pages
Date: 2012
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Journal Article: National Identity and Religious Diversity (2014)
Working Paper: National Identity and Religious Diversity (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:trr:wpaper:201207

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