Episode 39: Is White Identity Causing an Immigration Backlash?

The Science of Politics

Studies: "White Identity Politics" and "Whitshift" Interviews: Ashley Jardina, Duke University; Eric Kaufman, Birkbeck College Racial change is making some Americans fear the decline of White majorities, helping Donald Trump and making immigration increasingly salient. Negative views of racial minorities play a key political role, but what about positive feelings toward white identity? Ashley Jardina finds that white identity drove opposition to Obama and support for Trump. White identity also leads to immigration opposition, but it increases support for entitlement programs rather than decreasing support for welfare. Eric Kaufman finds that the impending end of white majorities across Western countries is increasing support for far-right alternatives, with nativists finding an outlet for views they were forbidden to express by rising progressive norms.