American decline and anti-Asian American sentiment

Abstract

ABSTRACT Does relative American decline lead to anti-Asian American sentiment? In this research note, I argue that messages related to the decline of the United States heighten anti-Asian American sentiment. National decline leads, I argue, to outgroup derogation in the name of in-group continuity and security. I test my argument using a survey experiment of 1,220 U.S. respondents. I find that respondents who are exposed to a prime that describes the United States in decline relative to China are more likely to express anti-Asian American sentiment relative to a control group. Further, using a placebo test of African American resentment, I find that respondents who are exposed to a decline prime are no more likely to express anti-African American sentiment. This research note provides new evidence about the dangers of racism and xenophobia in the context of US–China geopolitical competition.