The Outcomes of Anti-Immigration Mobilization in Europe

Social Movement mobilization aimed at stemming, preventing or reversing immigration has been intensifying in Europe over the past decade. Simultaneously, migration (and cultural diversity) plays an increasingly central role in the public debate, attitudes become more polarized, and governments impose new and more restrictive measures. Yet, while anti-immigration mobilization is highly visible, its role in producing change is debated. Anti-immigration activists aim at producing cultural change (attitudes and perceptions), political change (institutional influence) and policy change (regulations that allocate or restrict access to goods and/or rights). This paper develops a conceptual framework for empirically examining the outcomes of anti-immigration mobilization, drawing on insights from the broader literature on social movement outcomes. We draw attention to the mechanisms though which outcomes are produced, such as disruption, institutionalized influence, and persuasion. Context matters, in particular the ways in which anti-immigration movements interact with other movements (as allies, contenders or adversaries), the interface with institutionalized politics (in particular, political parties), and the resonance of dominant framings (including how anti-immigration is bundled with other issues). Outcomes may be in full sync with the strategic objectives defined by those who mobilize, but also outcomes that are a partial fulfilment or contrary to initial objectives are of interest. The paper will be based on an extensive review of the relevant literature, as well as in-depth interviews with centrally placed observers of the migration domain in Europe over the past decade or more.