An eye-opening book that gives a new impetus to discussions about integration
The author of this groundbreaking book offers a new outlook on integration policies: Those who assume that a lack of conflict is an indicator of successful integration and an open society are mistaken. Conflicts arise not because the integration of immigrants and minorities has failed, but because it is increasingly successful. Social coalescence generates controversy and defensive populist reactions all around the world.
Reading this book, you will:
- understand why immigration will continue to be an issue and what paradoxical effects integration has
- discover that the contrasts between opponents and supporters of an open society run straight through the conventional political categories of “right” and “left”
- find out where the extreme backlash comes from
- be better prepared in debates to counter those who romanticize multiculturalism, on the one hand, and proponents of isolationism, on the other
- realize that the challenges modern societies are facing are completely different than we thought.
Aladin El-Mafaalani gets to the bottom of the state of our society and shows why opponents of an open society have renewed clout in so many western nations.