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Erik Blech

Bio: Erik Blech is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ethnic group & Power (social and political). The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 57 citations.

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15 Jun 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that there is still sufficient distinctiveness between immigrant integration policies in order to continue and use an analytical framework which distinguishes national models for immigrant integration, and that it would no longer make sense to think in terms of national models.
Abstract: Several European countries have recently introduced or are planning to introduce citizenship trajectories (voluntary or obligatory inclusion programs for recent immigrants) or citizen integration tests (tests one should pass to be able and acquire permanent residence or state citizenship). Authors like Joppke claim this is an articulation of a more general shift towards the logic of assimilation (and away from a multicultural agenda) in integration policy paradigms of European States. Integration policies would even be converging in such a fashion that it would no longer make sense to think in terms of national models for immigrant integration. One cannot deny the empirical fact of diffusion of civic integration policies throughout Europe. This paper claims there is, however, still sufficient distinctiveness between immigrant integration policies in order to continue and use an analytical framework which distinguishes national models.

134 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparison of France, Britain, and the Netherlands is presented, where the authors argue that models should not be considered as homogeneous and stable cultural entities, and even less as independent variables.
Abstract: The concept of models of immigrant integration (e.g., French assimilation, Dutch and British multiculturalism) has had a vibrant career in comparative research on Western Europe, accounting for and explaining many national differences. This concept, however, is problematic because it suffers from normative and theoretical misconceptions. Through a comparison of France, Britain, and the Netherlands, this article discusses key problems affecting the use of national integration models in the literature and proposes ways to overcome them. It argues that models should not be considered as homogeneous and stable cultural entities—and even less as independent variables—but as complex structures of reference on the basis of which a multiplicity of conceptions of identity, equality, and inclusion are developed by a wide range of social agents in each national context.

131 citations

BookDOI
01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an academic assessment of the 2011 European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, which calls for integration policies in the EU to involve not only immigrants and their society of settlement, but also actors in their country of origin.
Abstract: In this open access book, experts on integration processes, integration policies, transnationalism, and the migration and development framework provide an academic assessment of the 2011 European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals, which calls for integration policies in the EU to involve not only immigrants and their society of settlement, but also actors in their country of origin. Moreover, a heuristic model is developed for the non-normative, analytical study of integration processes and policies based on conceptual, demographic, and historical accounts. The volume addresses three interconnected issues: What does research have to say on (the study of) integration processes in general and on the relevance of actors in origin countries in particular? What is the state of the art of the study of integration policies in Europe and the use of the concept of integration in policy formulation and practice? Does the proposal to include actors in origin countries as important players in integration policies find legitimation in empirical research? A few general conclusions are drawn. First, integration policies have developed at many levels of government: nationally, locally, regionally, and at the supra-national level of the EU. Second, a multitude of stakeholders has become involved in integration as policy designers and implementers. Finally, a logic of policymaking—and not an evidence-based scientific argument—can be said to underlie the European Commission’s redefinition of integration as a three-way process.

116 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine how the urban context, rather than national or regional context, shapes local immigrant integration policies and highlight the importance for cities to have left-leaning governments, immigrants who constitute a large part of the city electorate and are part of local decision-making structures.
Abstract: This article examines how the urban context, rather than national or regional context, shapes local immigrant integration policies. We draw on the integration experiences of four large European and American cities—Berlin, Amsterdam, New York City, and San Francisco—to develop a basic inductive framework for explaining when and why city officials enact and implement policies that promote immigrant integration. Our framework highlights the importance for cities to have (1) left-leaning governments, (2) immigrants who constitute a large part of the city electorate and are part of local decision-making structures, and (3) an infrastructure of community-based organisations that actively represent immigrants’ collective interests in local politics and policy-making. We show that when these three factors exist synergistically, cities are more likely to commit themselves to policies that promote immigrant integration even when the national context is not very hospitable to immigrant rights.

105 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the main concerns that underlie the study of migrant politics and related forms of social and political mobilization are outlined, and the core themes of the substantive papers that make up this volume are discussed.
Abstract: In this paper, we set the scene for this special issue by outlining the main concerns that underlie the study of migrant politics and related forms of social and political mobilization. We begin by examining the changing ways in which migrant and minority politics and mobilization have been articulated in recent decades, exploring key facets of the intersections between forms of migrant and minority mobilization and the wider social and political environment. We continue by discussing how these politics and mobilization have been analysed, both from a conceptual and empirical angle. We conclude by mapping the core themes of the substantive papers that make up this volume and by highlighting some issues for further research.

101 citations