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- target population (all immigrants, a selection of immigrant
groupings, disadvantaged (immigrant) target groups, a specific
immigrant generation etc.)
3. Problems and possibilities in comparing integration (policies)
We have to find ways to compare what seems incompariable by stressing those
elements of integration that go beyond purely normative aspects. We have been
warned that not only the composition of the immigrant population group in each of
the European receiving states is different, but that the receiving states also differ in
socio-economic, cultural and political aspects.
Part of the solution may consist in comparing the same immigrant group on relevant
aspects in different countries. But what can we conclude if the per centage of
unemployed semi-skilled Turkish workers in a specific age-group is higher in one
country than in an other, if we do not take into account general and specific
differences in the labour markets of the countries compared?
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Variables like naturalisation rates are measured relatively easily but what do they tell
us about integration. If in one country naturalization is a simple process, while in the
other country it might be practically impossible? Is the rate of mixed marriages by
nationality a possibility to measure integration? What to do with those mixed
marriages, which are in fact marriages between two former compatriots of whom one
has changed his or her nationality by naturalization? How do we compare figures on
mixed marriages between countries with easy and difficult procedures of
naturalization?
If properly used, labour market participation rates, language abilities, the rate of
mixed marriages by nationality, naturalization rates, as indicators inform us about the
degree of integration in one country, in relation to the integration concept adopted by
the country concerned. If we want to evaluate the integration level in different
countries our comparison will need refinement and elaboration.
One aspect has not been treated yet. Since our focus is on integration, we might
easily forget to consider transnational migrant communities. Today's immigrants may
have easy access to elements of their own "high" culture:
Parabolic reflector receivers shorten the distance between the immigrant and his
home-country. The costs of travelling are lower than ever. In double nationality is
possible, immigrants do not lose their hereditary titles or ownership of immovable
properties in their home country any more. The relationship between property
ownership and hereditary rights on the one hand and actual integration on the other
hand is scarcely researched. How to interpret the sudden increase of Turkish
immigrants in the Netherlands asking for Dutch nationality since dual nationality
became a real option? As a sign of integration or as a practical act safeguarding the
immigrants rights in the country of settlement and the country of origin, or as both?
The parabolic reflector receivers, are they to be interpreted as an expression of the
freedom of the press, speech, etc. belonging to the private domain of the
immigrants? We cannot answer these questions here. They underline, however, the
difficulties related to the evaluation of the integration process and concepts of
integration and they are a sign for the immigrants loosing interest in the host
society's culture.
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Sources:
- Bauböck, Rainer (1994); The Integration of Immigrants. Documents
prepared for the Council of Europe. Strasbourg, CDMG (94) 25 E
- Brochmann, Grete (1995); European Integration and Immigration from
Third Countries. Oslo, Institute for Social Research.
- Castles, Stephen (1993); The Process of Integration of Migrant
Communities. Paper, Expert Group Meeting on Population Distribution and
Migration, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. UN/UNFPA.
- Hammar, Tomas (ed.) (1985); European Immigration Policy; A comparative
study. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Muus, Philip (1984); Immigratie, van Invloed op Integratiebeleid
(Immigration of Influence on Integration Policy). Pre-advice in charge of the
Ministry of Interior of the Netherlands; DCM, Ministerie van Binnenlandse
Zaken, The Hague.
- Muus, Philip (1995); International Migration within and Towards the
European Economic Area (EEA) - Past Trends and Expectations for Future
International Migration; in Social Security in Europe, Equality between
Nationals and Non-Nationals, European Conference, Oporto; Commission [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]