In a second experiment, we study preferences in the context of parties' platforms: when asked how to reduce debt, people prefer immigration over austerity, and would rather increase immigration than let debt grow unchecked.

Using a real figure from Italy’s 2023 budget law, showing that public debt falls when immigration rises, we find that informing citizens of the fiscal effects of immigration leads to more positive views of immigrants and stronger support for pro-immigration policies.

Immigration can help ageing countries reduce public debt by easing fiscal pressure. Yet this narrative is rarely heard in media or political discourse.

🔍 How does the public react when the fiscal benefits of immigration are made visible?

Check out our latest publication 👇🏽 @mdigiuseppe.bsky.social

Next week, on the 15th of May, Alessia Aspide @aspidea.bsky.social will defend her thesis 'Fiscal Preferences in Context: Fiscal rules, political agendas, and the mass politics of public debt'.

Read about her key findings here: www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2025...

The attack on immigrants — which I don't think Trump can moderate — will make America poorer as well as uglier paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-deport...

Special Call:

The MPIfG is offering a one-year postdoctoral fellowship in economic sociology or political economy, intended for researchers (f/m/d) from Palestine and Lebanon

career.mpifg.de/jobposting/e...

Public finance issues in Europe often bring Greece or Italy to mind. But France? This insightful piece unpacks the turmoil surrounding France's budget deficit and explains how it has largely avoided scrutiny—until now. A must-read! 👇

Also here: blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2...

"Austerity remains a looming spectre on the political horizon of Europe. International obligations can raise public support for costly domestic policies, but can European fiscal rules influence public opinion and boost support for austerity?"

Check the results of my survey experiment!