Change is Hard: Managing Fear and Anxiety about Demographic Change and Immigration in Polarized Times

Suzette Brooks Masters, strategy fellow at Welcoming America, sets out to understand how anxieties about demographic change, immigration, and American identity can power the rise of authoritarian populists and ethno-nationalists. The research brief is based on extensive review of the vast and growing multidisciplinary literature on these topics, as well as numerous discussions with experts and colleagues. This research is designed to spur and deepen an important and challenging conversation about how to bring our nation together and shape a more cohesive and inclusive America. We are pleased to share this companion piece to Welcoming America’s social cohesion series.