Does Exposure to Other Ethnic Regions Promote National Integration? Evidence from Nigeria
利用尼日利亚最大青年服务项目的数据，发现临时分配到不同民族地区的人七年后更可能在全国居住、有更多跨族裔恋情和更强的国家自豪感，但同时也增强了民族自豪感。
This paper examines how temporary exposure to a different ethnic region affects national integration, using original survey data from participants in Africa’s largest national youth service program. Seven years later, participants randomly assigned to serve in a state with a different ethnic majority are five times more likely to live all across the country compared to those who served in their ethnic region. They have more interethnic romantic relationships and express greater national pride. Nevertheless, immersion in a different region strengthens participants’ ethnic pride and favorable attitudes toward co-ethnics. The results suggest that national and ethnic identity can thrive together.