Immigration and multiculturalism (1989)

Immigration has become one of the most salient discussion over the past few years. The rise of political disputes, economic crises of countries, war and globalization transformed immigration patterns increasing the volume of human displacement. They often seek asylum in liberal northern States, who might have immigration policies more or less open towards newcomers. In an attempt to explain these differences James Hampshire presents "The Politics of Immigration", a book in which he studies how rich countries - winners of globalization - dispose or set their policies towards immigration and immigrants.

At the turn of the new millennium international migration has reached a record high with evergrowing numbers of immigrants, labor migrants and asylum seekers leaving their homelands in search of better employment opportunities, higher economic rewards, safer political conditions and improved living standards. The increased flows of labor migrants and immigrants across the globe have resulted in emergence of new immigrant communities in many countries. The new immigrants not only changed the social, ethnic and demographic fabric of the receiving societies but they have also changed public views toward immigration and immigrants as well as government policies and regulations. Although host countries heavily rely on immigrants as a source of labor and as a means for economic development, immigrants are often viewed as 'foreigners' or 'outsiders' in the host societies and as a major source for social problems and conflict in society. Indeed, questions about immigration and immigrants' place in society have been transformed over the years from labor market and economy related problems to ones of national identity.

Over the last fi fty years, immigrant and minority population growth has transformed much of the global north, particularly the United States, Canada, and Europe. Understanding the political and policy consequences of such demographic change is essential to scholars and practitioners alike. On topics ranging from elections to policymaking, immigrants and minorities are -or should be -increasingly important parts of the discussion. Scholars also need to know more about migration itself, including migrant incorporation, return migration, internal migration, the implications of migration for sending nations, and the forces that structure migration. This interdisciplinary series is designed to address these interrelated topics.

Social Alternatives, 1983

2007

Since at least the last two decades of the 20th century, the normative debate on multiculturalism has been one-dimensional. It has deployed arguments related to cultural demands either linked to feminism and sub-cultural identities, immigration or national minorities. Little attention has been given to the relations between these dimensions, and how they effect each other in putting forward demands to the nation-state. The purpose of this article is to analyse the interaction between cultural demands of immigrants and minority nations. The basic objective of this paper is to give an overview of different reflections coming from three basic contributors: J. Carens, W. Kymlicka and R. Baubock.

Policy, Organisation and Society