NaDiRa short study: Fear of epidemics and anti-Semitism

Activation of anti-Semitic stereotypes during the Corona pandemic

National Monitoring of Discrimination and Racism (NaDiRa)

Project team:

Max Schaub

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Project description:

In the past, when diseases spread, anti-Semitic resentments flared up in parallel, which not infrequently turned into violence. Is there a similar dynamic in the Corona crisis? The project investigated whether the pandemic systematically leads to an increased spread of anti-Semitic stereotypes and whether patterns can be discerned in the process. The latter can provide information about the deeper causes of the negative stereotypes and their cultural and ideological roots.

Results:

Our central finding is: rising Corona case numbers and a Corona infection of their own are associated with stronger anti-Semitic attitudes. On average, for every 100-case increase in 7-day incidence, there is a one-point increase in the anti-Semitism index. Individual infections are also associated - on average - with increased anti-Semitism.

Surprising insights:

Originally, we had suspected that rising anti-Semitism in the pandemic was closely related to right-wing political attitudes. However, our results show that Christian religious affiliation and tradition may also play a role.

Implication for practice:

The findings highlight the need for a more intensive social examination of anti-Semitic stereotypes and their conscious and unconscious sources.

Short studies in preparation for the Racism Monitor:

In order to prepare a comprehensive Racism Monitor, DeZIM called on scholars* from the DeZIM research community in 2020 to develop innovative study ideas. These should extend existing research projects, pursue new and innovative approaches or build an infrastructure to research racism. By 2021, more than 120 researchers at the six locations of the DeZIM research community had conducted a total of 34 short studies. These are divided into six thematic priorities:

Health system
Education system and labour market
Institutional racism
Dealing with experiences of racism
Participation and the media
Racist ideologies and attitudes

Funding: Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Third-party funding)