John Solomos

Immigration, social cohesion and social capital : a critical review

In recent years, there has been an intense public and policy debate about ethnic diversity, community cohesion, and immigration in Britain and other societies worldwide. In addition, there has been a growing preoccupation with the possible dangers to social cohesion represented by growing immigration flows and ethnic diversity. This paper proposes a critical framework for assessing the links between immigration, social cohesion, and social capital. It argues that the concept of social capital is episodic, socially constructed and value-based, depending on the prevailing ideological climate. Considerations of social capital as a public policy tool to achieve social cohesion need to incorporate an appreciation of alternative conceptions of social capital rooted in a textured under-standing of immigrant processes and migration contexts.

Racism and migration in Western Europe.

Part I: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives J. Solomos and J. Wrench, Race and Racism in Contemporary Europe S. Castles, Migrations and Minorities in Europe: Perspectives for the 1990s: Eleven Hypotheses R. Miles, The Articulation of Racism and Nationalism: Reflections on European History Part II: Tendencies and Trends M. Wieviorka, Tendencies to Racism in Europe: Does France represent a unique case, or is it representative of a trend? C. Wilpert, The Ideological and Institutional Foundations of Racism in the Federal Republic of Germany E. Vasta, Rights and Racism in a New Country of Immigration: The Italian Case A. Alund and C. Schierup, The Thorny Road to Europe: Swedish Immigrant Policy in Transition T. Hammar, Political Participation and Civil Rights in Scandinavia H. Lutz, Migrant Women, Racism and the Dutch Labour Market P. Essed, The Politics of Marginal Inclusion: Racism in an Organisational Context J. Wrench and J. Solomos, The Politics and Processes of Racial Discrimination in Britain Part III: Issues and Debates T. A. van Dijk, Denying Racism: Elite Discourse and Racism A. Brah, Difference, Diversity, Differentiation: Processes of Racialisation and Gender Jan Rath, The Ideological Representation of Migrant Workers in Europe: A Matter of Racialisation? S. Small, Unravelling Racialised Relations in the United States of America and the United States of Europe C. Lloyd, Research and Policy Issues in a European Perspective

Families, Ethnicity and Social Capital

In this paper we outline some key aspects of the relationship between ethnicity and social capital in contemporary British society. This is a question that has begun to attract a good deal of attention in recent times, particularly in the context of public debate about the changing position of ethnic minority groups and migrant communities within an increasingly multicultural society. We begin by looking at the ways in which the relationship between ethnicity and social capital has been conceptualised. We then explore the ways that the notion of social capital has begun to shape policy debates about ethnicity and families. In doing so we seek to highlight the limitations of existing accounts and the kinds of questions that need to be addressed in conceptual and empirical research.

Introduction: Migrant Politics and Mobilization: Exclusion, Engagements, Incorporation

Abstract In this paper, we set the scene for this special issue by outlining the main concerns that underlie the study of migrant politics and related forms of social and political mobilization. We begin by examining the changing ways in which migrant and minority politics and mobilization have been articulated in recent decades, exploring key facets of the intersections between forms of migrant and minority mobilization and the wider social and political environment. We continue by discussing how these politics and mobilization have been analysed, both from a conceptual and empirical angle. We conclude by mapping the core themes of the substantive papers that make up this volume and by highlighting some issues for further research.

Rights and Wrongs across European Borders: Migrants, Minorities and Citizenship

Among the key issues in contemporary political debates across Europe are questions relating to migration, to the social and political rights of migrants and minorities and how these questions relate to new forms of citizenship in specific national contexts as well as across Europe as a whole. In this paper we want to explore the changing dynamics of debates about citizenship, migration, inclusion and exclusion in four European countries--Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Drawing on recent research we have carried out in each of these countries we analyse some of the key dimensions of recent debates and their impact on policy agendas, arguing for an analysis that reflects the various types of migration and movements of people that are shaping the current situation in many societies.

The politics of refugee and asylum policies in Britain: historical patterns and contemporary realities

It has been the traditional policy of successive British governments to give shelter to persons who are compelled to leave their own countries by reason of persecution for their political or religious belief or of their racial origin, but the Government are bound to have regard to their domestic situation and to the fact that for economic and demographic reasons this policy can only be applied within narrow limits (Home Office Memorandum 1938, cited in Dummett and Nicol, 1990: 158).

Introduction: Re-thinking Ethnic and Racial Studies

The changing boundaries of the study of ethnicity and race have been the subject of much debate in recent years. New theoretical debates have come to the fore and empirical research has broached new questions. Taking its cue from the wide range of themes covered in this special issue, this article seeks to map out some of the key areas in which this transformation has become apparent and to highlight the implications for ethnic and race relations as a field of study. In doing so it engages with some of the key questions that run through the whole of this special issue, including the relationship between race, power and politics, identity and difference and the politics of multiculturalism. It concludes by touching on some issues that need further research and analysis.

Doing research, writing politics: the dilemmas of political intervention in research on racism

What are the ethical and political dilemmas faced in carrying out research on racism? This paper explores this question by drawing on our fieldwork experience in the course of doing research on the local politics of race in Birmingham. The initial premise is that it is impossible to see research in this field as simply an information-gathering process. Rather we argue that it is important to see how researcher and researched interact, the identities which are expressed and generated in these interactions, and how racism features within the research process. The second half of the paper focuses on the dilemmas of becoming involved in political debates through the research process itself.

Race, Immigration and Politics in Britain Changing Policy Agendas and Conceptual Paradigms 1940s–2000s

This article provides a description and interpretation of a series of key issues, debates and questions around immigration and race in Britain between the 1940s and the early 2000s. We highlight these issues and characterize some of the major theoretical models (and concepts) that have been deployed to interpret and explain them. Our primary concern here is with the main policies that helped to construct and frame immigration policies and the key domestic ‘race relations’ policies that were linked to them. We also provide a critique of the ways in which some of the most prominent academics during this period have contributed to the unfolding of these processes, in particular, how their work has been used to frame government thinking and policy formulation and implementation. We hope that our characterization of the main trajectory of policy and academic discourse over the past few decades will provide an opportunity for a more intensive evaluation of particular moments in this trajectory.

Race, Social Cohesion and the Changing Politics of Citizenship

The relationship between race, social cohesion and citizenship has become an important issue in recent political and policy debates. In this paper these questions are explored in the context of the changing forms of ethnic minority political engagement and participation that have evolved in the past two decades. We suggest that there are growing tensions in policy debates about the boundaries and limits of multicultural policies, particularly focused around the issue of social cohesion.