A procedure is suggested for identifying causal effects when it is impossible to manipulate the independent variable of interest or to control confounded variables statistically. If a variable has a causal influence, this influence should be more pronounced when the variable is salient than when it is not. The applicability of this salience approach is illustrated in a study on the effects of the German job-ban policy on the politic al behaviors of individuals. Applications and limitations of the approach are discussed.
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