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Social Diversity and Bridging Identity

Garcia-Alonso, Maria D C, Wahhaj, Zaki (2021) Social Diversity and Bridging Identity. Oxford Economic Papers, 73 (3). pp. 1324-1344. ISSN 0030-7653. (KAR id:84457)

Abstract

We investigate within a model of cultural transmission how policies or shocks that affect social diversity within a population affect social cohesion and segregation. We develop the concept of `bridging identity', an individual trait that (i) positively affects utility in culturally diverse social groups but is immaterial in homogeneous groups; (ii) is fostered in those born in culturally diverse social groups but not in those born in homogeneous groups. We show that medium levels of immigration lead to higher bridging identity in the population; and, for a given immigration target, social segregation is decreasing in the time allowed for achieving this target. If the level and pace of immigration are attuned to existing levels of bridging identity, it is possible to sustain, for the long run, social groups that are culturally diverse. This contrasts with Schelling's models of residential segregation that typically lead to increasing segregation over time.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled keywords: identity; cultural transmission; segregation; social cohesion; immigration
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Economics
Signature Themes: Migration and Movement
Depositing User: Zaki Wahhaj
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2020 17:22 UTC
Last Modified: 17 Jan 2023 00:00 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/84457 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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