Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/232716 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 13964
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We study the long-run effects of contact with individuals from other regions on beliefs, preferences and national identity. We combine a natural experiment, the random assignment of male conscripts to different locations throughout Spain, with tailored survey data. Being randomly assigned to complete military service outside of one's region of residence fosters contact with conscripts from other regions, and increases sympathy towards people from the region of service, measured several decades later. We also observe an increase in identification with Spain for individuals originating from regions with peripheral nationalism. Our evidence suggests that intergroup exposure in early adulthood can have long-lasting effects on individual preferences and national identity.
Subjects: 
interregional contact
intergroup exposure
beliefs
preference formation
identity
JEL: 
R23
D91
Z1
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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