Reciprocity, trust and conflict: Volunteers and refugees in rural Germany

Abstract

The refugees who arrived in Germany in 2015 and 2016 were largely housed in village communities where people did not previously have extensive exposure to cultural diversity. This article focuses on the relationships between refugees and the volunteers who support them as they arrive in their new communities, which were examined over a long-term period based on qualitative data. It also examines the role of perceptions of reciprocity and conflict resolution between volunteers and refugees in fostering trust. When relationships are perceived as reciprocal, trust develops; when reciprocity is blocked or denied, mistrust emerges. In addition, when conflicts are addressed in a productive manner, trust can be repaired or even strengthened. Since the sociological literature on trust usually assumes that it flourishes where there is no conflict, this is a surprising finding. The article illustrates on a micro-level what might be a valuable perspective on pluralistic societies in general: The integrative role of conflict.