Immigration has had a major influence on the demographics and culture of the Western world. Immigration to the West started happening in significant numbers during the 1960s and afterward, [1] as Europe made its post-war economic recovery and the United States passed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 allowing non-European immigration. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Immigration to the West has often been related to the West's colonial history; for example, immigration to Britain historically has come largely from former British colonies (generally as part of the broader Commonwealth migration.) [6] [7] Wars that Western countries have recently been involved in, and the fallout or flows of refugees associated with them, have also been tied to the inflow of immigration. [8]
Significant debate has taken place around the economic and other benefits associated with immigration (particularly for low-skilled workers), [9] [10] with Western governments often more in favor of immigration than their constituents. [11] Debate has also taken place around both the theory and current state of integration of the immigrants, with some favoring multiculturalism as a solution. [12]
In the United States, theories around immigration have historically revolved around the metaphor of a melting pot, wherein different kinds of immigrants would eventually become more homogeneous and Americanized over time, [13] with such effects seen even today. [14]
There is significant migration between the countries of the European Union, where there is freedom of movement. [15] Migration between OECD countries is also notable, though sometimes limited by cultural differences. [16]
Backlash to immigration has impacted Western politics significantly; [17] [18] for example, Britain's decision to leave the European Union was informed partly by some of its voters' desire to reduce immigration. [19] This backlash has helped far-right politics become more prevalent. [20]
There has been an increase in anti-immigration sentiment in the West in relation to illegal immigration. [21] [22] In the United States, right-wing politicians have called for a border wall with Mexico, [23] [19] and in European politics, accusations have been made of a " Fortress Europe" mentality. [24] [25]
American responses to Muslim immigration have been influenced by the September 11 attacks. [26] [27] Within Europe, there has been a concerted backlash to Muslim immigration. Some feel that Muslim Europeans do not fully embody Western values, [28] while others have focused on publicizing various violent incidents perpetrated by Muslims. [29]
Some members of the Muslim diaspora have become more religious over time, either in response to hostility, or as a result of newer generations seeking a connection with their ancestral homeland and practices. [30]
In Europe, certain countries have banned elements of Muslim-associated culture, as is the case with France's burqa ban. [31]
Attention has been called to the rise of "lone-wolf" Islamist terror in Europe, which is partially motivated by anger from some European-born Muslims against their former colonial masters, and how it differs from the relative success of North America in ameliorating native-born Islamic terrorism. [32] [33]
Some oppose immigration on the basis that it increases cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity in a way that threatens native cultures and can impair social integration. [34] [1] [35]
This resistance has been noted in the context of the European Union after it expanded to include Eastern Europe, as many migrated towards Western Europe. [36]
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Behind the idea is a racist conspiracy theory known as 'the replacement theory,' which was popularized by a right-wing French philosopher.
This article addresses recent strains of white nationalism rooted within anxieties over demographic replacement (e.g., 'the Great Replacement').
...this narrative is highly compatible with concrete conspiracy narratives about how this replacement is desired and planned, either by 'the politicians' or 'the elite,' which-ever connotes Jewishness more effectively.
This conspiracy theory, which was first articulated by the French philosopher Renaud Camus, has gained a lot of traction in Europe since 2015.
...the conspiracy theory of the Grand remplacement (Great replacement) positing the 'Islamo-substitution' of biologically autochthonous populations in the French metropolitan territory, by Muslim minorities mostly coming from sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb
As for the grand replacement, this has been widely seen as a paranoid fantasy, which plays fast and loose with the statistics, is racist in that it classes as immigrants people actually born in France, glosses over the fact that around half of immigrants are from other European countries, and suggests that declining indigenous France will be outbred by Muslim newcomers when in fact it has the highest fertility rate in Western Europe, and not because of immigration.
This article needs additional or more specific
categories. (November 2023) |
Immigration has had a major influence on the demographics and culture of the Western world. Immigration to the West started happening in significant numbers during the 1960s and afterward, [1] as Europe made its post-war economic recovery and the United States passed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 allowing non-European immigration. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Immigration to the West has often been related to the West's colonial history; for example, immigration to Britain historically has come largely from former British colonies (generally as part of the broader Commonwealth migration.) [6] [7] Wars that Western countries have recently been involved in, and the fallout or flows of refugees associated with them, have also been tied to the inflow of immigration. [8]
Significant debate has taken place around the economic and other benefits associated with immigration (particularly for low-skilled workers), [9] [10] with Western governments often more in favor of immigration than their constituents. [11] Debate has also taken place around both the theory and current state of integration of the immigrants, with some favoring multiculturalism as a solution. [12]
In the United States, theories around immigration have historically revolved around the metaphor of a melting pot, wherein different kinds of immigrants would eventually become more homogeneous and Americanized over time, [13] with such effects seen even today. [14]
There is significant migration between the countries of the European Union, where there is freedom of movement. [15] Migration between OECD countries is also notable, though sometimes limited by cultural differences. [16]
Backlash to immigration has impacted Western politics significantly; [17] [18] for example, Britain's decision to leave the European Union was informed partly by some of its voters' desire to reduce immigration. [19] This backlash has helped far-right politics become more prevalent. [20]
There has been an increase in anti-immigration sentiment in the West in relation to illegal immigration. [21] [22] In the United States, right-wing politicians have called for a border wall with Mexico, [23] [19] and in European politics, accusations have been made of a " Fortress Europe" mentality. [24] [25]
American responses to Muslim immigration have been influenced by the September 11 attacks. [26] [27] Within Europe, there has been a concerted backlash to Muslim immigration. Some feel that Muslim Europeans do not fully embody Western values, [28] while others have focused on publicizing various violent incidents perpetrated by Muslims. [29]
Some members of the Muslim diaspora have become more religious over time, either in response to hostility, or as a result of newer generations seeking a connection with their ancestral homeland and practices. [30]
In Europe, certain countries have banned elements of Muslim-associated culture, as is the case with France's burqa ban. [31]
Attention has been called to the rise of "lone-wolf" Islamist terror in Europe, which is partially motivated by anger from some European-born Muslims against their former colonial masters, and how it differs from the relative success of North America in ameliorating native-born Islamic terrorism. [32] [33]
Some oppose immigration on the basis that it increases cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity in a way that threatens native cultures and can impair social integration. [34] [1] [35]
This resistance has been noted in the context of the European Union after it expanded to include Eastern Europe, as many migrated towards Western Europe. [36]
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)
{{
citation}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link)
Behind the idea is a racist conspiracy theory known as 'the replacement theory,' which was popularized by a right-wing French philosopher.
This article addresses recent strains of white nationalism rooted within anxieties over demographic replacement (e.g., 'the Great Replacement').
...this narrative is highly compatible with concrete conspiracy narratives about how this replacement is desired and planned, either by 'the politicians' or 'the elite,' which-ever connotes Jewishness more effectively.
This conspiracy theory, which was first articulated by the French philosopher Renaud Camus, has gained a lot of traction in Europe since 2015.
...the conspiracy theory of the Grand remplacement (Great replacement) positing the 'Islamo-substitution' of biologically autochthonous populations in the French metropolitan territory, by Muslim minorities mostly coming from sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb
As for the grand replacement, this has been widely seen as a paranoid fantasy, which plays fast and loose with the statistics, is racist in that it classes as immigrants people actually born in France, glosses over the fact that around half of immigrants are from other European countries, and suggests that declining indigenous France will be outbred by Muslim newcomers when in fact it has the highest fertility rate in Western Europe, and not because of immigration.
This article needs additional or more specific
categories. (November 2023) |