11. How Did the 2008 Economic Crisis Affect: Social and Political Solidarity in Europe?
- Author:
- Jennifer L. Hochschild
- Publication Date:
- 01-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University
- Abstract:
- One possible outcome of the economic crash of 2008 was that the majority or mainstream members of a society would direct their anger and fear against the minority or marginal members of their society. Commentators on television or the radio would claim, "it's all the fault of the immigrants!" or "if we didn't hand over so much of our tax dollars to the poor, the economy would not have deteriorated so much," or "social benefits to African Americans [or German Turks] have distorted the housing market." Citizens would come to believe these assertions, politicians would echo them – and the upshot would be not only a deteriorating national and international economy but also increased hostility and fear among racial, ethnic, or nationality groups in a country. Social solidarity would decline, perhaps irrevocably.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Economics, Politics, Social Stratification, and Financial Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Africa, America, Europe, and Germany