Policy Press
Three Integration: a new pivot for policy?
Abstract
In December 2006 Tony Blair stated, ‘We like our diversity. But how do we react when that “difference” leads to separation and alienation from the values that define what we hold in common? For the first time in a generation there is an unease … [that] … our willingness to welcome difference … is being used against us’ (Blair, 2006b).
Questions of ‘integration’ have been high on the public and political agenda from 2001. Three issues in particular have been at the forefront of debates. The first, often prompted by Labour politicians, has been a debate on ‘common values’ (Geddes, 2003). The second, prompted by a famous essay by David Goodhart, is the seeming division between diversity and solidarity (Goodhart, 2004). The third, following the 9/11 and 7/7 terrorist attacks, is the concern over security and its implicit, if not an explicit, focus on Muslims.
This chapter examines the policy concerns that make up the ‘integration’ debate. It explores what integration means, unravels Labour’s ‘Janus-faced’ approach to policy, and examines discrete elements of policy, including the subtext of much of integration discourse – Muslims.
‘Integration’ is a complex area in which to record policy changes. Integration policy was one of the two migration policy pillars during the period of immigration settlement between 1948 and 1976. Then, integration policy was aimed at first-generation immigrants, whereas by 1997 it had become associated with ethnic minorities (second, third, and fourth generations). It is perhaps useful to start, therefore, with an interpretation of integration policy – later labelled as ‘multiculturalism’ – from this former period.
Abstract
In December 2006 Tony Blair stated, ‘We like our diversity. But how do we react when that “difference” leads to separation and alienation from the values that define what we hold in common? For the first time in a generation there is an unease … [that] … our willingness to welcome difference … is being used against us’ (Blair, 2006b).
Questions of ‘integration’ have been high on the public and political agenda from 2001. Three issues in particular have been at the forefront of debates. The first, often prompted by Labour politicians, has been a debate on ‘common values’ (Geddes, 2003). The second, prompted by a famous essay by David Goodhart, is the seeming division between diversity and solidarity (Goodhart, 2004). The third, following the 9/11 and 7/7 terrorist attacks, is the concern over security and its implicit, if not an explicit, focus on Muslims.
This chapter examines the policy concerns that make up the ‘integration’ debate. It explores what integration means, unravels Labour’s ‘Janus-faced’ approach to policy, and examines discrete elements of policy, including the subtext of much of integration discourse – Muslims.
‘Integration’ is a complex area in which to record policy changes. Integration policy was one of the two migration policy pillars during the period of immigration settlement between 1948 and 1976. Then, integration policy was aimed at first-generation immigrants, whereas by 1997 it had become associated with ethnic minorities (second, third, and fourth generations). It is perhaps useful to start, therefore, with an interpretation of integration policy – later labelled as ‘multiculturalism’ – from this former period.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables iv
- Acknowledgements v
- About the author vi
- Preface: The Blair Years vii
- Introduction 1
-
Policy themes (1997–2007)
- Managed migration 29
- Security: powers to combat the ‘illegal’ threat 39
- Integration: a new pivot for policy? 51
- The vicious circle of asylum policy 65
- Delivery: non-stop reform 75
- A new direction 83
-
Influences on policy
- The new global marketplace 87
- The law and policy 95
- The European Union 101
- Networks: the engine room of policy development 107
- Politicians and parties 119
- Public attitudes 131
- The media: policy in the furnace 135
- Officials: policy at the frontline 139
- A fresh perspective on policy change 147
-
Evaluating Labour’s record
- Evaluating immigration policy making 153
- Targets of restriction: asylum (and security) 161
- Integration: a consistent record of failure? 171
- Delivery 179
- Economic migration: has the vision been realised? 185
- Outside of the circle: international development 189
- Conclusion 191
- Bibliography 195
- Index 225
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables iv
- Acknowledgements v
- About the author vi
- Preface: The Blair Years vii
- Introduction 1
-
Policy themes (1997–2007)
- Managed migration 29
- Security: powers to combat the ‘illegal’ threat 39
- Integration: a new pivot for policy? 51
- The vicious circle of asylum policy 65
- Delivery: non-stop reform 75
- A new direction 83
-
Influences on policy
- The new global marketplace 87
- The law and policy 95
- The European Union 101
- Networks: the engine room of policy development 107
- Politicians and parties 119
- Public attitudes 131
- The media: policy in the furnace 135
- Officials: policy at the frontline 139
- A fresh perspective on policy change 147
-
Evaluating Labour’s record
- Evaluating immigration policy making 153
- Targets of restriction: asylum (and security) 161
- Integration: a consistent record of failure? 171
- Delivery 179
- Economic migration: has the vision been realised? 185
- Outside of the circle: international development 189
- Conclusion 191
- Bibliography 195
- Index 225
