Socialization theory posits that education reduces anti-foreigner sentiment by transmitting official democratic values, which discourage prejudice against minorities. This effect should be amplified in more democratic societies.

Our analysis of data from the European Social Survey (2008) reveals a counterintuitive pattern: the educational reduction of anti-foreigner sentiment is strongest in established democracies, moderate in medium-aged democracies like those in Southern Europe, and weakest in newer democracies such as East European ones. This relationship appears to hold across different education levels.

Interestingly, higher educated individuals are disproportionately influenced by democratic institutions' development level. Thus, while socialization theory correctly identifies the connection between education systems and anti-foreigner sentiment, its cross-national applicability depends significantly on a country's stage of democratic development.