Multicultural attitudes in Europe: A multilevel analysis of perceived compatibility between individual and collective justice

Contemporary political philosophers debate the degree to which multiculturalism, with its emphasis on collective justice principles, is compatible Western liberal societies’ core ideologies based individual principles. Taking a social psychological perspective, present study offers cross-national, multilevel examination of asymmetric compatibility hypothesis, according majority and ethnic minority groups differ in association between support for individualized immigration policies (based principles) multiculturalism principles). Using data from Round 7 European Social Survey (N = 36,732), we compared attitudes across 1) countries stronger versus weaker equality at national level (a Migrant Integration Policy Index [MIPEX] sub-dimension indicator), 2) post-communist countries. In line minorities perceived significantly less incompatibility than majorities. This majority-minority was Moreover, policies, generally supported greater extent Overall, these findings suggest that deep-seated ideological orientations contexts shape conceptions hence, also, multicultural attitudes. Implications future research directions are discussed.