New findings reveal that German citizens with a mixed conception of national identity held more variable opinions about immigration than those holding singular civic or ethnic views. This complexity challenges previous assumptions about the stability provided by strong national identities.

During Europe’s 2015/2016 refugee crisis, these ambivalent attitudes became particularly evident. Using heterogeneous choice models and a survey experiment, researchers demonstrated that mixed identity beliefs lead to fluctuating opinions on immigration policies.

Key Takeaways:

• National identity shapes political opinions but can also introduce instability

• Civic identity encourages support for immigration; ethnic identity creates resistance

• Ambivalence arises from holding both perspectives simultaneously