Migration and Political Identity

Abstract

In the past decades many European countries have experienced rising numbers of immigrants from diverse regions within and outside of Europe. Thus the population in these countries has become more heterogeneous in regard to their cultural identities. Although especially work-migration often was intended to be temporary, it mostly turned out as a durable phenomenon. Increasing numbers of migrants meanwhile have settled in and acquired the citizenship of their host countries. The host countries themselves have not only implemented different immigration policies, but have also “experimented” with different integration and identity policies ranging from concepts as like assimilation over melting pot to multicultural societies. Yet, whereas the effects of immigration on and the life-situation of the immigrants in the spheres of economy and society have received widely scientific research, the role of immigration in the political field, especially its potential effects on the political culture, has been neglected. This panel seeks to bring together researchers interested in the fields of migration and political culture. Possible research questions and topics can be directed to collective identity as a native, naturalized or new migrant (or the exchange between them). The huge amount of open questions in this field shall be organized along the following areas: (a) role of native’s identity for immigration and immigrants, (b) effects of immigration on the national identity of natives (c) development of collective identity of migrants, and (d) effects of migration for identification with the European Union.

Title	Details
Divided Loyalty? Collective Identities and Political Participation of Dual Citizens in Switzerland	View Paper Details
National Narratives, Meanings of National Identity and Attitudes Towards Immigrants	View Paper Details
Generational and Compositional Changes in Political Culture Among Ethnic Minorities in Britain, 1997-2010	View Paper Details
Migration and European Identity in the European Union	View Paper Details