Imagined Societies : A Critique of Immigrant Integration in Western Europe

"In many countries in Western Europe, the demand for immigrant integration has inevitably raised questions about the "societies" into which immigrants are asked to integrate. Imagined Societies critically intervenes in debates on immigrant integration and multiculturalism in Western Europe. Schinkel argues that the term "multiculturalism" is not used primarily to describe a type of policy or political philosophy in countries such as the Netherlands, France, Germany or Belgium, but rather as a rhetorical device that promotes demands for "integration". He analyses how such demands are ways of imagining the very idea of a "host society" as "modern", "secular" and "enlightened". Starting from debates in social theory on social imaginaries, and drawing on public debates on citizenship, secularism and sexuality, and on the social science of measuring immigrant integration, this book presents a highly original study of immigrant integration that challenges our understanding of the concept of society"--;Immigrant integration imaginaries in Western Europe -- Imagining society : social theory and/as social imagination -- Measuring society : moral monitoring and the social science of immigrant integration -- Transformations of racism and the rise of culturism -- Traditionally modern : contemporary frameworks of sexuality and religion -- The uses of citizenship -- Social science : between moral monitoring and public sociology. In Many Countries In Western Europe, The Demand For Immigrant Integration Has Inevitably Raised Questions About The Societies Into Which Immigrants Are Asked To Integrate. Imagined Societies Critically Intervenes In Debates On Immigrant Integration And Multiculturalism In Western Europe. Schinkel Argues That The Term Multiculturalism Is Not Used Primarily To Describe A Type Of Policy Or Political Philosophy In Countries Such As The Netherlands, France, Germany Or Belgium, But Rather As A Rhetorical Device That Promotes Demands For Integration. He Analyses How Such Demands Are Ways Of Imagining The Very Idea Of A Host Society As Modern, Secular And Enlightened. Starting From Debates In Social Theory On Social Imaginaries, And Drawing On Public Debates On Citizenship, Secularism And Sexuality, And On The Social Science Of Measuring Immigrant Integration, This Book Presents A Highly Original Study Of Immigrant Integration That Challenges Our Understanding Of The Concept Of Society-- Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Immigrant Integration Imaginaries In Western Europe; 2. Imagining Society : Social Theory And/as Social Imagination; 3. Measuring Society: Moral Monitoring And The Social Science Of Immigrant Integration; 4. Transformations Of Racism : The Rise Of Culturism; 5. Traditionally Modern : Contemporary Frameworks Of Sexuality And Religion; 6. The Uses Of Citizenship; 7. Social Science : Between Moral Monitoring And Public Sociology. Willem Schinkel, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "In many countries in Western Europe, the demand for immigrant integration has inevitably raised questions about the "societies" into which immigrants are asked to integrate. Imagined Societies critically intervenes in debates on immigrant integration and multiculturalism in Western Europe. Schinkel argues that the term "multiculturalism" is not used primarily to describe a type of policy or political philosophy in countries such as the Netherlands, France, Germany or Belgium, but rather as a rhetorical device that promotes demands for "integration". He analyses how such demands are ways of imagining the very idea of a "host society" as "modern", "secular" and "enlightened". Starting from debates in social theory on social imaginaries, and drawing on public debates on citizenship, secularism and sexuality, and on the social science of measuring immigrant integration, this book presents a highly original study of immigrant integration that challenges our understanding of the concept of society"-- Provided by publisher Imagined Societies explores how images of 'society' and of national belonging have been forged by the media and politicians through the portrayal of immigrants and their 'failed integration'. Examining the experience of the Netherlands and other Western European countries, this book analyses how discussions of integration, culture, religion, and sexuality promote notions of national societies. Imagined Societies analyses how discussions of immigrant integration, culture, religion, and sexuality promote notions of national societies