Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

3-29-2012

SSRN Discipline

Legal Scholarship Network; PSN Subject Matter eJournals; Social Insurance Research Network; Law School Research Papers - Legal Studies; Political Science Network; Political Behavior eJournals

Abstract

What is behind the current wave of antiimmigrant fervor Racism Nativism National security concerns A recent article by Camilo Ortiz posits that psychological authoritarianism explains the recent outbreak of vigilantism and harsh law better than any of these other motives My essay agrees with Ortiz and shows how understanding antiimmigrant sentiment in these terms advances our understanding of it Once one understands how the syndrome underlies much of the current reaction toward immigrants particularly ones from south of the US border it becomes easier to frame measures to limit some of its excesses I argue that Mr Ortiz's interpretation constitutes a significant advance in our understanding of social attitudes toward immigration and immigrants and can pave the way toward more sensible policies in this troubled area

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