Recent years have witnessed a rise in right-wing extremism among German youth and young adults. This paper investigates
to which extent the experience of parental unemployment during childhood affects young people’s far right-wing behaviour
and xenophobia. Estimates from three different German data sets and multiple identification strategies suggest that young
adults who grow up with unemployed parents are more susceptible to right-wing extremism, to xenophobia in particular.
This is consistent with classical theories of economic interest and voting behaviour, predicting that persons who
develop feelings of economic insecurity have a higher risk to be receptive to right-wing extremism and are more likely to
show anti-foreign sentiments.
Presented by:
Thomas Siedler, ISER
Date & time:
29 Mar 2006 12:00 pm - 28 Mar 2006 23:00 pm
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