Migration Background and Political Trust in Western Europe: A Comparative Analysis of the Roles of Religiosity and Perceived Discrimination

This study examines the differences in trust in political institutions between migrants and natives in Western Europe, focusing on the roles of religiosity and perceived discrimination. Using data from the European Social Survey (ESS) across 15 Western European countries, the analysis reveals that second-generation migrants exhibit significantly lower political trust than both first-generation migrants and natives. Notably, being of Muslim denomination is linked to reduced political trust, highlighting the varying impact of religious integration on political attitudes within a European context that often marginalizes Muslim communities. Perceived discrimination is another key factor that explains the observed differences in political trust. Second-generation migrants report lower trust due to heightened perceptions of societal discrimination. This suggests that perceived discrimination is crucial in shaping political attitudes, particularly among those who have been born and raised in the host society. Overall, these findings emphasize the complex relationship between religiosity, discrimination, and political trust, offering important implications for understanding the integration and political engagement of migrant populations in Western Europe. This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it shifts the focus from explaining patterns of exclusion and discrimination toward immigrants to its effects on their political attitudes. Second, whereas existing literature often relied on single-country designs or pooled survey data, this study provides a cross-national perspective on the relationship between migration background and political trust.