Collective Remembrance and Private Choice: German–Greek Conflict and Behavior in Times of Crisis

When does collective memory influence behavior? We highlight two conditions under which the of past events comes to matter for present: associative nature and institutionalized acts commemoration by state. During World War II, German troops occupying Greece perpetrated numerous massacres. Memories those resurfaced during 2009 Greek debt crisis, leading a drop in car sales Greece, especially areas affected reprisals. Differential economic performance did not drive this divergence. Multiple pieces evidence suggest that current reactivated memories, creating backlash against Germany. This also manifested political behavior, with vote shares anti-German parties increasing reprisal after start crisis. Using quasi-random variation public recognition victim status, we show amplifies effects conflict on behavior.