Xenophobia and Ethnoviolence in Contemporary Germany

Abstract

This paper uses 1980s and 1990s data on xenophobia and ethnoviolence in Germany to organize theoretical arguments holding capitalism, social change, group threat or political culture responsible for the observed patterns. The selected indicators of xenophobia and ethnoviolence reflect mixed support for the various theories. In support of the long-term effects of capitalism, the data show that right-wing membership, ethnoviolence and xenophobia had already increased in the 1980s, and that men's re-employment rates are inversely related to violence and membership. The dramatic acceleration of these increases after unification bolsters social change arguments. Immigration statistics suggest that not the actual size of the foreign population (real group threat), but the perceived number of foreigners (threat fostered in the political culture) may be held responsible for increased violence. Possible implications for observed trends are presented.