Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/73126 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
Diskussionsbeitrag No. 491
Publisher: 
Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Hannover
Abstract: 
We construct an index for national identity using information from the World Values Survey on peoples’ attitudes concerning politics and to the state itself. We then analyze the relationship between our new measure of national identity and social heterogeneity. The results indicate that religious diversity is significantly and positively related to national identity, whereas other variables proxying social heterogeneity are not. We argue that national identity is a substitute for religion. At high levels of religious diversity people do not identify with their religious group. They search other objects of identification offering common values and norms. Hence, people identify at the national level. Furthermore, democratic institutions and mobility throughout the country affect national identity positively.
Subjects: 
National Identity
Social Heterogeneity
Religious Diversity
Common Beliefs
JEL: 
J15
O1
Z12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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