The Origins of Common Identity: Evidence from Alsace-Lorraine

Arbeitspapier

The quasi-exogenous division of the French regions Alsace and Lorraine after the Franco-Prussian War allows us to provide evidence about group identity formation within historically homogeneous regions. Using several measures of stated and revealed preferences spanning over half a century, we show that being exposed to occupation and repression for many decades caused a persistently stronger regional identity. The geographical RDD results are robust across all specifications. We document two mechanisms using data on regional newspapers and regionalist parties. The differences are strongest for the first two age cohorts after WWII and associated with preferences for more regional decision-making.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 7410

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making‡ ; State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations: General ; Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: General, International, or Comparative ; Cultural Economics: Other
• Subject: group identity ; regional identity ; identity formation ; persistence of preferences ; homogenization policies ; assimilation ; Alsace-Lorraine

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Dehdari, Sirus ; Gehring, Kai
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2018

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/191435
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET