Perceptions of Immigrant Belonging and Support for Redistribution

Abstract

The national identity argument posits that a shared national identity can elicit social solidarity, or support for redistribution, in diverse societies. We analyse one, largely neglected, aspect of this argument, namely whether perceptions of immigrants' belonging to the nation can generate support for redistribution. Based on new survey data (N = 3,000), we measure how emotionally attached respondents think immigrants are to Sweden. We distinguish between immigrants born in Europe and immigrants born outside of Europe. Results show that people who believe that immigrants are attached to Sweden are more likely to be supportive of both generalised redistribution (welfare state support) and to display inclusive solidarity (willingness to grant rights to immigrants). This effect primarily holds for immigrants born outside Europe. We conclude that support for the welfare state and willingness to grant rights to immigrants depend on perceptions about immigrants' attachment to the nation, but mainly for non‐European immigrants.