Transcript France Immigration National identity & the Right to be

FRANCE
National Identity
& Immigration
Definitions
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Immigration not just sensitive
political issue
opportunity to examine social
ties, national integration and
citizenship
Foreigner? Immigrant?
France: country of
immigration
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From early history, waves of
settlers: Celts, Romans,
Germanic tribes, Vikings,
FRANCE country of political
asylum: movement of
populations following European
wars…
Economic need for workers
after WWII who escape misery
in Italy and Poland, Russia...
National origins of
Immigrants
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Europe(socio-economic and political
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Former colonies:
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refugees from Italy, Spain, Russia, Greece
political, Eastern European countries
Poland, Roumania, former Yougoslavia)
North Africa and
sub-Saharan Africa and former Indochina
(Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia…)
Chile
Asia
Immigrants
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Usually ADULT MALE single
workers
family reunion: arrival of
families and issues of
integration
Integration: political
framework
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-German or “ethnic” model:
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French or “political” model:
nationality linked to descent (right of blood
line)
derived from republican principles.
Aim is to assimilate/integrate
Nationality=citizenship=right of soil
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British/US model: recognition of
minorities with issues of ghettoisation/
segregation
Policies
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Constitutionally (republican
principles) France does not
discriminate either negatively or
positively on account of
race/nationality
FAS (social action fund for
immigrant workers and families)
--1958
Naturalization=citizenship
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Marriage to a French national
(for 1 year)
granting of nationality to people
who have reached their majority (18
years) and have lived in France for at
least five years
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acquisition by Right of soil
in the case of 18-year-old children of
foreigners born in France, and
resident there for at least five years
between the ages of 11 and 18
(under Article44).
Integration problems
The causes
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Socio-economic= schooling
housing/unemployment(lack of
education and qualifications, language
issues, few financial resources, social
problems..)
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Concentration in large urban
centers, HLM suburban housing
(Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseilles,
Toulouse...)
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Also: mutual cultural perceptions.
Xenophobia is often linked to
periods of economic depression
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Discrimination for jobs
Racism linked to colonial past
and Islam (fuelled by customs
clashing with secular & gender
equality principles of French
civilization).
=sensitive arguments used for
political ends (the National
Front/Le Pen)
Prospects for the integration
of immigrants in France
Integration paths of European and
non-European immigrants
are diverging
•Integration of E. U citizens is of a
different nature
• Fighting exclusion and
marginalization of non-E.U citizens
Integration =EU member
states matter
Treaties:
 SCHENGEN AGREEMENTS
(1985-1990)
 AMSTERDAM TREATY(1997)
-measures for regulating entry
and residence, short and long
term.
--illegal immigration and
residence ->Big problem today!