Parental Unemployment and Young People's Right-Wing Extremism: Evidence from Germany

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IZA Seminar

Place: Schaumburg-Lippe-Str. 9, 53113 Bonn

Date: 02.05.2006, 12:00 - 13:30

   

Presentation by 

Thomas Siedler (University of Potsdam)
   

Abstract:

Recent years have witnessed a rise in right-wing extremism
among German youth and young adults. This paper
investigates to which extent the experience of parental
unemployment during childhood affects young people's far
right-wing behaviour and xenophobia. Estimates from three
different German data sets and multiple identification
strategies suggest that young adults who grow up with
unemployed parents are more susceptible to right-wing
extremism, to xenophobia in particular. This is consistent
with classical theories of economic interest and voting
behaviour, predicting that persons who develop feelings of
economic insecurity have a higher risk to be receptive to
right-wing extremism and are more likely to show
anti-foreign sentiments.

(The paper is currently under revision by the author.)

   
   
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