uwischool
Social Segregation
Joshua E. Blumenstock and Ott Toomet.
We analyze the ethnic composition of social networks using cellphone data from Estonia. Using information on ethnic background (Estonian or Russian) and place of residence, we find that the probability to communicate is 4x lower across the ethnic groups, and it is inversely related to geographic distance. In order to make interethnic links as likely as coethnic ones, one has to bring the outgroup members 10x closer geographically than ingroup members. In typical urban areas, the ethnic effect clearly dominates the geographic one, suggesting that residential desegregation will have a limited impact on social segregation.
Social Segregation
Joshua E. Blumenstock and Ott Toomet.
We analyze the ethnic composition of social networks using cellphone data from Estonia. Using information on ethnic background (Estonian or Russian) and place of residence, we find that the probability to communicate is 4x lower across the ethnic groups, and it is inversely related to geographic distance. In order to make interethnic links as likely as coethnic ones, one has to bring the outgroup members 10x closer geographically than ingroup members. In typical urban areas, the ethnic effect clearly dominates the geographic one, suggesting that residential desegregation will have a limited impact on social segregation.