European Crisis: Perspectives on Refugees, Solidarity, and Europe

The book explores the crisis of the European integration project through the perspective of people's movements across and to the European continent, examining how refugee protection became controversial and how European governments and peoples view refugees and migrants as the cause of a crisis. It aims to provide an empirical and thematic context for understanding the link between refugee migration and the perception of Europe in crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 10 September 2021
Publisher: ibidem-Verlag, Jessica Haunschild u Christian Schon

The book delves into the crisis of the European integration project, as seen from the perspective of people's movements across and to the European continent. However, it raises the question: Why should the issue of refugees or migration have anything to do with the dynamics of the integration or disintegration of the European Union? If anything, the existing global refugee protection regime was conceived in Europe at the time when Europe began to integrate, as a moral imperative in the context of European solidarity and in response to crises.

Yet, how did refugee protection become so controversial that it led to a crisis of its own? Why do European governments and their peoples perceive refugees and migrants as the cause of a crisis in and of Europe? The book explores these questions by examining the construction of the crisis narrative and offering insights into distinctly European perspectives on and analyses of political responses to refugees, migration, and economic challenges.

The aim of the volume is to provide an empirical and thematic context for understanding the link between refugee migration and the overwhelming perception of Europe in crisis.

In the first chapter, the book explores the historical and political context of refugee migration in Europe, tracing the roots of the current refugee crisis to the conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. It examines the role of European states in creating and perpetuating the refugee crisis, as well as the responses of European governments and their peoples to the influx of refugees.

The second chapter delves into the economic and social consequences of refugee migration for Europe. It examines the impact of refugee arrivals on the labor market, public services, and social cohesion, as well as the challenges faced by host communities in accommodating and integrating refugees.

The third chapter explores the political responses to refugee migration in Europe, focusing on the policies and practices of European governments and their allies. It examines the role of the European Union in managing refugee flows and providing assistance to refugees, as well as the challenges and criticisms of EU policies.

The fourth chapter examines the role of civil society organizations and grassroots movements in responding to the refugee crisis. It explores the efforts of these organizations to provide humanitarian aid, advocate for refugee rights, and challenge the dominant narratives surrounding refugees and migration.

The fifth chapter examines the cultural and social dimensions of refugee migration, focusing on the experiences of refugees and host communities. It explores the ways in which refugee migration has influenced European identities, values, and attitudes, as well as the challenges and opportunities for intercultural dialogue and cooperation.

The final chapter reflects on the implications of the crisis narrative for the future of European integration. It examines the ways in which the crisis narrative has shaped public perceptions of refugees and migration, as well as the challenges and opportunities for rebuilding trust and cooperation between European states and their peoples.

Overall, this collection provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the crisis of the European integration project as seen from the perspective of people's movements across and to the European continent. It offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between refugee migration, European identity, and the broader political and economic dynamics of the European Union.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 151 x 213 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783838211244