American Economic Journal:
Applied Economics
ISSN 1945-7782 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7790 (Online)
The Origins of Common Identity: Evidence from Alsace-Lorraine
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 14,
no. 1, January 2022
(pp. 261–92)
Abstract
We study how more negative historical exposure to the actions of nation-states—like war, occupation, and repression—affects the formation of regional identity. The quasi-exogenous division of the French regions Alsace and Lorraine allows us to implement a geographical regression discontinuity design at the municipal level. Using measures of stated and revealed preferences, we find that more negative experiences with nation-states are associated with a stronger regional identity in the short, medium, and long run. This is linked to preferences for more regional decision-making. Establishing regional organizations seems to be a key mechanism to maintaining and strengthening regional identity.Citation
Dehdari, Sirus H., and Kai Gehring. 2022. "The Origins of Common Identity: Evidence from Alsace-Lorraine." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 14 (1): 261–92. DOI: 10.1257/app.20190772Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H77 Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism; Secession
- N43 Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: Europe: Pre-1913
- N44 Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: Europe: 1913-
- N93 Regional and Urban History: Europe: Pre-1913
- N94 Regional and Urban History: Europe: 1913-
- Z13 Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
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