Abstract:
We design and conduct a large-scale information experiment in nine European countries. Using incentivized outcome questions on altruism, social trust and reciprocity towards fellow citizens, people from other EU countries and non-EU countries, we assess the causal effect of priming respondents about EU common values, trade, and the COVID-19 crisis against a “neutral” frame. We find that common values and the COVID-19 crisis boosts altruism and reciprocity towards the same country citizen, as well as reciprocity towards EU natives. There is no change in interpersonal trust. On the other hand, EU trade does not have any effects for our outcome variables. Trust in domestic institutions is negatively affected for countries with high death toll in the COVID-19 treatment.
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