Identity Processes and Dynamics in Multi-Ethnic Europe

TLDR: In this paper, the authors present empirical case studies from the Basque Country, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Portugal to highlight Portugal's diverse and complex migration flows.

Abstract: dynamics as never before. But in a post-colonial, multi-ethnic Europe, what is identity? How is it constructed? This book endeavours to answer these questions and more. Eleven of the thirteen chapters present empirical case studies from the Basque Country, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Portugal – thus resulting in one of the first international volumes to highlight Portugal’s diverse and complex migration flows. Transnationalism also takes centre stage in several contributions that survey various types of informal and formal networks in local communities and across national borders. Via American studies, anthropology, cultural studies, ethnology, history, social psychology and sociology, the authors come from an array of disciplines as dynamic as the continent about which they write.

Figures

Figure 13.4 Types of identity in inter-ethnic studies

Figure 12.4 Structural-dynamic interpretation of factor 4: Social and inter-ethnic openness [OPENN]

Table 12.2 Accusation of racism as a rationale for failed identity assertion in an inter-ethnic context [ACCUS]

Figure 13.2 Two new anthropological paradigms of understanding and action

Figure 12.5 Factors and groups in the Portuguese inter-ethnic arena: correspondence analysis

Figure 11.1 The web of identity

Full text

Globalisation, migration and integration have shaken up identity processes and identity
dynamics as never before. But in a post-colonial, multi-ethnic Europe, what is identity?
How is it constructed? is book endeavours to answer these questions and more.
Eleven of the thirteen chapters present empirical case studies from the Basque Country,
the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Portugal – thus resulting in
one of the rst international volumes to highlight Portugals diverse and complex
migration ows. Transnationalism also takes centre stage in several contributions that
survey various types of informal and formal networks in local communities and across
national borders. Via American studies, anthropology, cultural studies, ethnology,
history, social psychology and sociology, the authors come from an array of disciplines
as dynamic as the continent about which they write.
Charles Westin is a professor of migration and ethnicity studies at Stockholm University.
José Bastos is an associate professor of anthropology at the New University of Lisbon.
Janine Dahinden is a professor of transnational studies at the University of Neuchâtel,
where she is also director of the Center for the Understanding of Social Processes
(). Pedro Góis is a lecturer in sociology and methodology in the faculty of ne
arts at the University of Oporto and a researcher at the Centre for Social Studies at
the University of Coimbra.
“A welcome addition to current discussions tackling the question: how shall we all live together in Europe? As this
volume illustrates, there is no one disciplinary approach, nor one single solution. Taken together, these essays advance
our collective knowledge about intercultural relations – and perhaps take us some steps towards more positive ways
of living together.”
John W. Berry, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Queen’s University, Canada
“Combining theories of cultural change, representations, networks and identities, this volume oers an innovative
comparison of situated studies. Westin and colleagues provide an outstanding source for students, researchers and
policy leaders.”
Steve Fenton, Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Department of Sociology
and Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship, University of Bristol, 
“Europe today is a multi-ethnic immigration continent in search of an umbrella identity of identities. is excellent
book is an interdisciplinary eye-opener into these social, cultural and mental dynamics.”
Klaus J. Bade, Chair, Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration, Berlin, Germany
, ,    (.)
Identity Processes and Dynamics in Multi-Ethnic Europe
   · ..
 978 90 8964 046 8
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Identity Processes
and Dynamics in
Multi-Ethnic Europe
 ,  ,
     (.)

Identity Processes and Dynamics in Multi-Ethnic Europe

IMISCOE
International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion in Europe
The IMISCOE Research Network unites researchers from, at present, 25 institutes
specialising in studies of international migration, integration and social cohesion in
Europe. What began in 2004 as a Network of Excellence sponsored by the Sixth
Framework Programme of the European Commission has become, as of April
2009, an independent self-funding endeavour. From the start, IMISCOE has
promoted integrated, multidisciplinary and globally comparative research led by
scholars from various branches of the economic and social sciences, the humanities
and law. The Network furthers existing studies and pioneers new scholarship on
migration and migrant integration. Encouraging innovative lines of inquiry key to
European policymaking and governance is also a priority.
The IMISCOE-Amsterdam University Press Series makes the Network’s findings
and results available to researchers, policymakers and practitioners, the media and
other interested stakeholders. High-quality manuscripts authored by Network
members and cooperating partners are evaluated by external peer reviews and the
IMISCOE Editorial Committee. The Committee comprises the following members:
Christina Boswell, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh,
United Kingdom
Tiziana Caponio, Department of Political Studies, University of Turin / Forum for
International and European Research on Immigration (FIERI), Turin, Italy
Michael Collyer, Sussex Centre for Migration Research (SCMR), University of
Sussex, United Kingdom
Rosita Fibbi, Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies (SFM), University
of Neuchâtel, Switzerland / Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne
Albert Kraler, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD),
Vienna, Austria
Leo Lucassen, Institute of History, Leiden University, The Netherlands
Jorge Malheiros, Centre of Geographical Studies (CEG), University of Lisbon,
Portugal
Marco Martiniello, National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS), Brussels / Center
for Ethnic and Migration Studies (CEDEM), University of Liège, Belgium
Patrick Simon, National Demographic Institute (INED), Paris, France
Miri Song, School of Social Policy and Sociology, University of Kent, United Kingdom
IMISCOE Policy Briefs and more information can be found at www.imiscoe.org.

Identity Processes and Dynamics
in Multi-Ethnic Europe
edited by Charles Westin, José Bastos,
Janine Dahinden and Pedro Góis
IMISCOE Research

Cover design: Studio Jan de Boer BNO, Amsterdam
Layout: The DocWorkers, Almere
ISBN 978 90 8964 046 8
e-
ISBN 978 90 4850 631 6
NUR 741 / 763
© Charles Westin, José Bastos, Janine Dahinden and Pedro Góis /
Amsterdam University Press 2010
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright
reserved above, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or
introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise)
without the written permission of both the copyright owners and the
authors of the book.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. What are examples of movements on which resistance identities build?

Ethnically based nationalism and religious fundamentalism, gay and lesbian liberation from heteronormative oppression and post-colonial resistance to racism, as well as feminism and environmental protection, are examples of movements on which resistance identities build. 

Q2. What are the contributions in "Westin_wt.indd" ?

Via American studies, anthropology, cultural studies, ethnology, history, social psychology and sociology, the authors come from an array of disciplines as dynamic as the continent about which they write. 

Q3. What have the authors stated for future works in "Westin_wt.indd" ?

It is not seen as an alternative for the future. 

Q4. What were the dimensions of identity that Tajfel used to describe?

There were also evaluative and descriptive identity dimensions, such as positive or negative identity, strong or weak identity, spoiled identity and so on. 

Q5. What are the methods developed for discourse analysis?

Methods developed for discourse analysis include various forms of narrative analysis, conversation analysis and ethnomethodology. 

Q6. What were the main concepts of identity in the literature?

Consequently a wide range of identity concepts soon appeared in the literature: some of the substantive ones were ego-identity, selfidentity, personal identity, social identity, national identity, ethnic identity, collective identity, identity for self, identity for others. 

Q7. What are the social positions to which identity content is attributed?

gender, social class, education, profession, religion, language, ethnicity and nationality are social positions to which identity content is attributed – by self and by others. 

Q8. What did the long process of nation-state formation enttail?

the long process of nation-state formation entailed that small, cultural and linguistic minorities were assimilated into dominant nations through the standardisation of written language and educational systems. 

Q9. What is the danger of losing sight of the speaking subject?

As The authorsee it, the danger of losing sight of the speaking subject, and attributing meaning solely to language and semiotic systems, is that it is tantamount to a new form of subject denial akin to the tenets of behaviourism. 

Q10. What was the first to reflect on the country’s experience of post-colonial and labour?

Migration and ethnicity researchers in the Netherlands were among the first to reflect on the country’s experience of post-colonial and labour force immigration. 

Q11. What countries looked at the experiences of integrating migrant populations into mainstream society?

European states looked at the experiences of integrating migrant populations into mainstream society in traditional immigrant nations such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US. 

Q12. What is the way to deal with diversity among conference papers?

One editorial technique to deal with this kind of diversity among conference papers is to establish some sort of comparative analytic grid; that is, to ask authors from different countries to address similar, or preferably the same, questions. 

Q13. Why is there an urgent need for conceptual organisation and stringency?

For the very reason that identity is such a widely used tool for social theorising, there is an urgent need for conceptual organisation and stringency. 

Q14. What was the first word used to describe the concept of social/cultural Darwinism?

After World War II, the notion of social/cultural Darwinism, which had undoubtedly influenced some early pioneers, fell into disrepute, as did some of the more obvious concepts associated with it.