Immigrant Nations
This book is a major reassessment of how immigration is changing our world. The policies of multiculturalism that were implemented in the wake of post-war immigration have, especially since 9/11, come under intense scrutiny, and the continuing flow of populations has helped to ensure that immigration remains the focus of intense social and political debate.
Based on his deep knowledge of the European and American experience, Scheffer shows how immigration entails the loss of familiar worlds, both for immigrants and for host societies. The conflict that accompanies all major migratory movements is not the result of a failure of integration, but is part of a search for new ways of living together. It prompts an intensive process of self-examination on all sides.
Immigration has such a profound impact because it goes to the heart of institutions like the welfare state and liberties like the freedom of expression; liberal democracies developing into immigrant nations go through an existential change. To cope with these challenges, Scheffer argues, we should move beyond multiculturalism and take a fresh look at the meaning of citizenship in a globalizing world.
This principled and path-breaking book will establish itself as a classic work on immigration and will be an indispensable text for anyone interested in one of the most important social and political issues of our time.
Tolerance under strain - The conservatism of migrants - The
in-between generation - Native unease - Integration requires
self-examination - So what's new?
Chapter II: The world in the city 000
The proximity of strangers - Segregation and inequality - Ghetto
culture - Black and white schools - Dispersing without mixing -
Back to the garden city
Chapter III: The great migration
The globe is fragile - All the colours plus grey - Classic
countries of immigration - Migration and development - A morality
of mobility - The citizens' revolt
Chapter IV: The Netherlands, a culture of avoidance
As others see us - Migration and nation building - Tolerance is not
laisser-faire - Organizing Islam - Post-colonial lessons - Identity
and openness
Chapter V: European contrasts
From emigration to immigration - Early opposition - Republican
answers - Foreigners after genocide - Taking leave of empire - At
the external borders
Chapter VI: The cosmopolitan code
The colonial trap - 'Enlightened' racism - The value of
cultures - Beyond multiculturalism - Prejudice weighed - World
citizens in the making
Chapter VII: The rediscovery of America
The colonists' creed - In the melting pot - Opposition to
immigrants - The golden door shuts - The lingering shadow of
slavery - Affirmative action
Chapter VIII: The divided house of Islam
Islam and imperialism - In a secular environment - Conservatism and
radicalization - Reformist voices - Believers in an open society -
A world without an emergency exit
Chapter IX: Land of arrival
Rituals of citizenship - Everything of value must defend itself - A
triptych of integration - Dilemmas of equal treatment - Tomorrow's
immigrants - Accepting what we have become
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Notes
FinancialTimes
'With Immigrant Nations, Scheffer offers an extension ofhis earlier arguments and an answer to his critics ... essentialreading for anyone with an interest in the issue.'
TimesHigher Education
'Arguably the best study in many years of the effects that massimmigration has had on the countries and cities of western Europeand north America.'
EuropeanVoice
'Should be required reading for those engaged with thisimportant issue.'
ForeignAffairs
'With major cities as focal points, Scheffer argues for arevision of both how we look at our legislative and culturalrelationship with immigration by way of revisiting historicalprecedents as well as considering the profoundly different (moredensely populated and globalized) world in which we livetoday.'
PopMatters
'The breadth of this study is formidable. Exploring as it doesthe history of voluntary or forced emigration and immigration,slavery and the US and the problems of assimilation, it covers anumber of controversial bases in a non-sensationalist way. Therecurring subject of large and diverse Muslim communities inEuropean cities is the most significant theme of this book and it'san issue which is tackled with courage and honesty.'
MorningStar
'Scheffer tackles the problems resulting from immigration intoEurope with a candid critique of antiforeign sentiments and thefeelings of immigrant populations as well ... Highlyrecommended.'
Choice
'An honest and vivid exploration of the many issues thatcontemporary immigration presents for European societies ... proofthat the immigration debate can and should be moved beyond itscurrent impasse.'
Survival: Global Politics and Strategy
'Paul Scheffer has written the most acute, sensitive andnuanced account there is of Europe's new immigrants. This book isessential reading for anyone who wishes to understand today'sEurope.'
Timothy Garton Ash, St Antony's College, Oxford
'Paul Scheffer handles a combustible subject with uncommonrestraint. His tone is sharp yet compassionate; his scope is broadyet detailed; he is an insider yet unobtrusive. In a subtle way hereveals the layers of painful contradictions that plague a peoplewho for decades cultivated a self-image of tolerance and freedom,only to be cast into self-doubt as that image is tested by thearrival and settlement of Muslim immigrants.'
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, American Enterprise Institute
'A vital contribution to the current discussions in Europeon the problems of immigration. Scheffer's voice is urgent, timelyand penetrating. This book should be read by all Europeans, andindeed by all people, who are interested in one of the mostpressing issues of our time: how to integrate non-Westernimmigrants, especially immigrants with Muslim backgrounds, intoWestern societies.'
Ian Buruma, Bard College