From compassion to solidarity fatigue: factors sustaining or eroding solidarity towards refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants
Solidarity is a fundamental principle of the EU, but its meaning, and what it requires from EU Member States and European citizens in practice, remains elusive. Throughout the years, the level of solidarity shown by EU Member States and citizens in different circumstances has varied. In particular, the degree of enthusiasm to show solidarity towards different groups of refugees arriving in Europe has fluctuated.
This report sheds light on the factors that contribute to shaping solidarity in the EU, in particular towards migrants.
Based on a review of existing literature, survey data and media analysis, the study strives to increase our understanding of the reasons that encourage Europeans to show solidarity towards refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants, and the factors and conditions that erode that solidarity. It also analyses the level of solidarity towards the persons displaced from Ukraine.
The report first explores the general concept of solidarity, the conditions and factors that induce empathic solidarity, and its different forms and levels of expression. It then looks at factors that influence solidarity towards refugees and asylum seekers, including people’s attitudes towards migrants in general. Finally, it analyses how solidarity and attitudes towards the persons displaced by Russia’s war against Ukraine have changed over time.
DE LEUR Jeremy;
ICARDI Rossella;
KAJANDER Nina;
SEIGER Fiona;
TINTORI Guido;
2023-09-12
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC134391
978-92-68-07561-6 (online),
978-92-68-07584-5 (print),
1831-9424 (online),
1018-5593 (print),
EUR 31659 EN,
OP KJ-NA-31-659-EN-N (online),
OP KJ-NA-31-659-EN-C (print),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC134391,
10.2760/29934 (online),
10.2760/366329 (print),
