Why, how and with whom? The impact of perceived ally motives on migrants’ support for collective actions

Abstract

Social inequalities between migrants and the host society trigger collective actions that aim to reduce such inequalities. Such actions can be led by migrants themselves, or by advantaged members from the host society who act as allies. In three studies conducted in Spain (N Study 1 = 182 low vulnerability migrants; N Study 2 = 160 forced migrants and refugees; N Study 3 = 418 migrants with different levels of vulnerability) we evaluated: How perceived ally motives (egalitarian, paternalistic and performative) impact three different types of migrants’ collective action tendencies: pro-alliance (e.g., meetings between migrants and Spaniards), led by Spaniards (e.g., pro-migrant demonstrations organized by Spaniards), and/or led by migrants (e.g., creation of political associations led by migrants). Additionally, we evaluated what type of alliance (as one-group recategorization or coalition) migrants prefer to build with members of the advantaged group. We also analyzed how perceived motives to support migrants relate to the evaluation for the types of alliance (Studies 2 and 3), and whether the level of vulnerability of the participants moderates the role of perceived paternalistic motives on collective action tendencies (Study 3). The results confirm that perceived ally egalitarian motives predict higher migrant support for pro-alliance collective action, as well as those led by Spanish allies across studies. Perceived paternalistic motives have a greater impact on highly socioeconomically vulnerable migrant support for collective action tendencies than on less vulnerable ones. There is no clear pattern of preference about perceiving themselves as part of a singular group (one-group recategorization) or in a coalition with advantaged group members who share the goal to promote migrants’ rights. However, perceived egalitarian motives are positively related to the value attached to one-group recategorization. This research contributes to understanding the factors involved in participation to achieve social change amongst refugees or asylum seekers as well as less vulnerable migrants.