Exploring double standards in ethnicity, migration, and intercultural relations: An introduction to the special issue

This special issue examines the concept of "double standards" in ethnicity, migration, and intercultural relations, focusing on the uneven application of principles or expectations to similar groups or situations. Amid growing discussions on its relevance to political conflicts and humanitarian crises on a global scale, the issue explores how double standards emerge in diverse socio-historical and political contexts, legitimizing unequal treatment of ethnocultural and migrant communities. It investigates the psychological mechanisms and boundary conditions underlying these biases and their impact on marginalized groups. Contributions analyze how double standards both perpetuate injustice and fuel collective resistance, emphasizing the need for a constructivist perspective and a societal-level approach to addressing these disparities. By integrating empirical research with diverse theoretical frameworks, this issue advances our understanding of double standards and their implications for intergroup relations and justice in an era of rising nationalism and anti-global sentiment, while paving the way for future research on this critical topic.