Migration and welfare state solidarity in Western Europe
- 2 July 2009
- journal article
- other
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of European Social Policy
- Vol. 19 (3), 213-229
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0958928709104737
Abstract
In recent decades Western Europe has had to face increasing migration levels resulting in a more diverse population. As a direct consequence, the question of adequate inclusion of immigrants into the welfare state has arisen. At the same time it has been asked whether the inclusion of non-nationals or migrants into the welfare state may undermine the solidaristic basis and legitimacy of welfare state redistribution. Citizens who are in general positive about the welfare state may adopt a critical view if migrants are granted equal access. Using data from the European Social Survey (2002/2003) for European OECD Countries we examine the relationship between ethnic diversity and public social expenditure, welfare state support and attitudes towards immigrants among European citizens. The results indicate only weak negative correlations between ethnic diversity and public social expenditure levels. Multilevel regression models with support for the welfare state and attitudes towards the legal inclusion of immigrants as dependent variables in fact reveal a negative influence of ethnic diversity. However, when controlling for migration in combination with other contextual factors, especially GDP, the unemployment rate and welfare regime seem to have a mediating influence.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Changes in Resistance to the Social Integration of Foreigners in Germany 1980–2000: Individual and Contextual DeterminantsJournal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 2007
- Immigrants’ social rights in comparative perspective: welfare regimes, forms in immigration and immigration policy regimesJournal of European Social Policy, 2006
- Making the difference in social Europe: deservingness perceptions among citizens of European welfare statesJournal of European Social Policy, 2006
- Is the Future American? Or, Can Left Politics Preserve European Welfare States from Erosion through Growing ‘Racial’ Diversity?Journal of Social Policy, 2005
- Do Foreigners Deserve Rights? Determinants of Public Views Towards Foreigners in Germany and IsraelEuropean Sociological Review, 2003
- The Effect of Education on Nationalism and Ethnic Exclusionism: An International ComparisonPolitical Psychology, 2003
- Welfare States, Solidarity and Justice Principles: Does the Type Really Matter?Acta Sociologica, 2001
- INTERGROUP CONTACT THEORYAnnual Review of Psychology, 1998
- Classifying Welfare States: a Two-dimension ApproachJournal of Social Policy, 1997
- Prejudice as a Response to Perceived Group Threat: Population Composition and Anti-Immigrant and Racial Prejudice in EuropeAmerican Sociological Review, 1995