Scared by Foreigners and their Products? Survey Evidence from France

Thierry Verdier, Akiko Suwa-Eisenmann, Olivier Cadot and Pierre Geoffard

No 5544, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: The paper studies attitudes toward immigration and trade using an opinion survey of two thousand French individuals. We find that, beyond usual Stolper-Samuelson effects (skilled individuals are more pro-free trade than others, as in other countries) attitudes toward trade and immigration are correlated and both are ideologically loaded. Right-wing affiliation is robustly associated with protectionism. Moreover, right-wing protectionism concerns not just agriculture but appears to be a broader attitude. It may help explain the predominantly anti-trade rhetoric of France's right-wing governments, although outsiders would expect them to pursue more pro-market and pro-free trade policies than left-wing ones.

Keywords: Protectionism; Trade; Migration; Political economy; France (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F1 F22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int and nep-pol
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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