Paper abstract:

Large-scale migration and globalization have transformed the dynamics of human geography, leading to increased contact between previously distant groups. This project investigates how the presence of a new outgroup transforms the identities and alters the behaviors of host communities. Specifically, we examine the effect that the influx of Chinese migrant workers under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has had on identity and local social and political dynamics in Kyrgyzstan. We leverage geolocated BRI project sites and multiple waves of the Life in Kyrgyzstan survey to investigate how proximity to BRI infrastructure projects has impacted the salience of national and ethnic identity in Kyrgyzstan as well as the levels of outgroup trust and engagement. We pair this analysis with data on individual social and political behavior to assess how shifts in identity impact participation in elections, social organizations, and protest. By examining group identity and social cohesion in Kyrgyzstan, this project will shed light on the promises and pitfalls stemming from contact between migrant groups and host societies and provide valuable insight into the social and political ramifications of the BRI.