Interregional Contact and National Identity

Manuel Bagues and Christopher Roth

No 15576, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We study the long-run effects of contact with individuals from other regions on beliefs, preferences and national identity. We combine a natural experiment, the random assignment of male conscripts to different locations throughout Spain, with tailored survey data. Being randomly assigned to complete military service outside of one's region of residence fosters contact with conscripts from other regions, and increases sympathy towards people from the region of service, measured several decades later. We also observe an increase in identification with Spain for individuals originating from regions with peripheral nationalism. Our evidence suggests that intergroup exposure in early adulthood can have long-lasting effects on individual preferences and national identity.

Keywords: Interregional contact; Intergroup exposure; beliefs; Preference formation; Identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 R23 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Interregional contact and national identity (2022)
Working Paper: Interregional Contact and National Identity (2020)
Working Paper: Interregional Contact and National Identity (2020)
Working Paper: Interregional Contact and National Identity (2020)
Working Paper: Interregional contact and national identity (2020)
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