The Integration Nation: Immigration and Colonial Power in Liberal Democracies

The concept of "immigrant integration" is used to rebuild unity from diversity after large-scale immigration, but it is the continuance of a long-standing colonial development paradigm that maintains a hierarchy of race and nationality and the global inequalities it sustains. The book "The Integration Nation" offers a fundamental rethink of this concept in the light of the challenge posed by decolonial theory and movements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

The concept of "immigrant integration" is widely embraced by politicians, policymakers, journalists, and researchers as a comprehensive framework for rebuilding unity from diversity following large-scale immigration. It is presented as a progressive middle ground between backward-looking ideas of assimilation and the perceived fragmentation of multiculturalism. Integration has become the default approach for states grappling with global refugee management and the persistence of racial disadvantage.

However, it is important to recognize that integration is not a novel concept but rather the continuation of a long-standing colonial development paradigm. It serves as a mechanism for majority-white liberal democracies to absorb and benefit from mass migration while perpetuating a hierarchical system of race and nationality, which in turn sustains global inequalities. Immigrant integration is central to the neo-liberal racial capitalism of recent decades, where selective control over nation-building and bordering allows certain citizens to reap the benefits of a globally integrating world, while other populations are left behind and excluded.

In order to address these issues, The Integration Nation offers a critical reevaluation of the core concept of immigrant integration in the context of the challenges posed by decolonial theory and movements. The book challenges the dominant narratives and frameworks that have shaped research and policy on immigrant integration, offering a more nuanced and complex understanding of the processes and outcomes of integration.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, The Integration Nation explores the historical, social, and political factors that contribute to immigrant integration. It examines the ways in which integration policies and practices have perpetuated racial and ethnic inequalities, as well as the potential for alternative approaches that prioritize social justice and equity. The book also highlights the experiences and perspectives of immigrants themselves, recognizing the diverse ways in which they navigate the complexities of integration and contribute to their communities.

In conclusion, The Integration Nation is a valuable contribution to the field of migration, ethnic, and racial studies. It provides a critical analysis of the concept of immigrant integration and challenges the dominant narratives and frameworks that have shaped research and policy in this area. By offering a more nuanced and complex understanding of the processes and outcomes of integration, the book provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and activists working to promote inclusive and equitable societies.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 217 x 148 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509549399