Strategic Intolerance: Investigating the Intersection of Ethnocentrism, Ethnic Prejudice, and Machiavellianism

Summary

This book chapter examines why some people engage in ethnocentrism and ethnic prejudice, arguing that for certain individuals these attitudes are strategic rather than heartfelt expressions of group loyalty. The authors propose a Machiavellianism-ethnocentrism-prejudice (MEP) model, in which people high in Machiavellianism adopt ethnocentric and prejudiced positions for self-serving, instrumental reasons rather than out of genuine attachment to their ingroup. The chapter situates this account at the intersection of personality and intergroup psychology, distinguishing manipulative, goal-directed intolerance from prejudice rooted in sincere ingroup identification. It draws together theory and evidence on Machiavellianism, ethnocentrism, and prejudice to motivate the model. The work reframes some intergroup hostility as a strategic tactic, with implications for how prejudice is understood and addressed.