Ethnocentrism as a Core Conservative Trait

Key Insight

Ethnocentrism is consistently found to be a defining characteristic of the political right across all countries. Conservatives worldwide exhibit more positive sentiments towards their in-group members and higher patriotism, while simultaneously displaying greater xenophobia towards other countries and out-groups. Statistical studies repeatedly confirm that political conservatism is the most accurate predictor of ethnocentrism.

Research by Paul Sniderman, a political psychology expert, illustrates this. In one study, political conservatism predicted the acceptance of negative stereotypes about black people 3.5 times more effectively than family income. Another survey revealed that 75 percent of college-educated liberals supported government guarantees of equal opportunity for African-Americans, compared to only 38 percent of college-educated conservatives. This partisan divide is reflected in the US Congress, where the 113th session had 40 black Democrats and only 1 black Republican.

Globally, this relationship holds true. A 1988 Eurobarometer Survey involving 4000 Europeans found that self-placed political conservatism was the primary predictor of prejudice against local ethnic out-groups, surpassing 60 other demographic variables. In Israel, far-right parties gain support from ethnically homogeneous populations, while far-left parties forge interethnic alliances. This evidence strongly establishes ethnocentrism as a fundamental component of conservative ideology.