| ID | 134333 |
| Title Proper | Integration of immigrants in France |
| Other Title Information | a historical perspective |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Barou, Jacques |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article seeks to identify the different factors that have facilitated or impeded the integration of immigrants in France from a historical perspective. Its aim is to shed light on the contemporary debates on the alleged failure of the republican integration model. First, we will show that – with the formation of the nation state – the integration of migrants was a constitutive element of the social cohesion of French society. Later, and during periods of xenophobia in particular, immigrants were classified according to their ability to assimilate into the French society. Since the 1970s, the double-barrelled integration question – concerning migrants and social cohesion – has reappeared. Within this context, the ‘colour-blind’ French republican model has been challenged, primarily from an economic perspective, not only by persistent social inequalities, but also, in its quintessence, by demands for cultural recognition. These factors have reinforced racial discrimination, the success of the populist extreme right and recurrent assimilation pressure. |
| `In' analytical Note | Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power vol. 21, No.6; Dec.2014: p.642-657 |
| Journal Source | Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power 2014-12 21, 6 |
| Key Words | Immigrants ; France ; Integration ; Postcolonialism ; Assimilation ; Social Exclusion ; Social Cohesion ; Racial Discrimination ; History ; Republican Values ; French Society |