UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE CONSERVATISM AND IMMIGRATION OPINION IN THE UNITED STATES A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By JONATHAN MOORE Norman, Oklahoma 2018 CONSERVATISM AND IMMIGRATION OPINION IN THE UNITED STATES A DISSERTATION APPROVED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE BY ___________________________ Dr. Glen Krutz, Chair ___________________________ Dr. Allyson Shortle ___________________________ Dr. Scott Lamothe ___________________________ Dr. Alisa Fryar ___________________________ Dr. Jill Edy © Copyright by JONATHAN MOORE 2018 All Rights Reserved. This dissertation is my academic life’s work, but that life has been invested in by too many people to thank properly. My committee was willing to serve and contributed numerous suggestions for the improvement of this dissertation. My parents-in-law have been a foundation of family in an unfamiliar land. My parents provided for all of my needs in a stable and loving home, encouraged me to work hard, and were there for me even when I did not do so. My children have been a constant source of joy and relationship throughout this process. Most importantly, my wife Jennifer has been my best friend and advisor throughout this process, and it is only due to her sacrifices and encouragement that this this document exists at all. CONTENTS List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. viii Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ ix Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 The Stereotype ........................................................................................................................... 1 The Objections .......................................................................................................................... 3 The Puzzle ................................................................................................................................. 9 Research Question ................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Literature Review ...................................................................................................... 13 Material Threat Hypothesis ..................................................................................................... 13 Symbolic Threat Hypothesis ................................................................................................... 17 The American Public ............................................................................................................... 21 Value Pluralism ....................................................................................................................... 24 Cultural Theory ....................................................................................................................... 25 The American Two Party System ........................................................................................... 27 Framing ................................................................................................................................... 29 What is a Conservative? .......................................................................................................... 30 Limited Government ........................................................................................................... 30 Moral Traditionalism ........................................................................................................... 32 Strong National Defense ..................................................................................................... 33 Immigration Frames ................................................................................................................ 33 Economic Efficiency ........................................................................................................... 34 Economic Costs ................................................................................................................... 35 Cultural Concerns ................................................................................................................ 35 Public Safety ....................................................................................................................... 36 Chapter 3: Theory, Hypotheses, Data and Methods .................................................................... 38 Theory ..................................................................................................................................... 38 Hypotheses .............................................................................................................................. 42 Mass Level Hypotheses ....................................................................................................... 42 Engaged Level Hypotheses ................................................................................................. 44 Elite Level Hypotheses ........................................................................................................ 46 Cultural Hypotheses ............................................................................................................ 49 iv Data and Methods .................................................................................................................... 50 Mass Level .......................................................................................................................... 51 Engaged Level ..................................................................................................................... 52 Elite Level ........................................................................................................................... 53 Chapter 4: Immigration Opinion among the Masses ................................................................... 55 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 55 Data ......................................................................................................................................... 56 2012 ANES ......................................................................................................................... 56 21CAS ................................................................................................................................. 59 Methods and Measurement ..................................................................................................... 60 2012 ANES Methods........................................................................................................... 60 2012 ANES Dependent Variables ....................................................................................... 61 2012 ANES Explanatory Variables ..................................................................................... 63 2012 ANES Control Variables ............................................................................................ 66 21CAS Methods ...................................................................................................................... 67 21CAS Dependent Variables ............................................................................................... 68 21CAS Explanatory Variables ............................................................................................ 69 21CAS Control Variables .................................................................................................... 70 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 71 Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 80 Chapter 5: Immigration Opinion among the Politically Engaged ............................................... 90 Data ......................................................................................................................................... 90 Methods ................................................................................................................................... 98 Measurement ....................................................................................................................... 99 Results ................................................................................................................................... 103 Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 108 Chapter 6: Elite Conservatism and Immigration Opinion ......................................................... 114 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 114 Data & Methods ...................................................................................................................