The Politics Of Immigration In France, Britain, And The United States: A Comparative Study (perspectives In Comparative Politics)

Updated through 2012 with all-new material in every chapter, Schain's book provides a detailed, comparative look at the policies that drive and inform immigration politics in three Western countries, and shows how immigration policy has political sources far beyond labor market needs. 'This three-nation study by Schain (New York University) is ample proof that comparative politics is alive and well and, above all, thriving... It is comparative political analysis at its best... The result is a theoretical presentation as rewarding as the analyses of the immigration case studies, a presentation students of public policy should not miss. Summing up: highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.' - CHOICE 'The book makes an important contribution to the study of comparative immigration politics in Western countries by stressing the role of electoral politics and the politicization of the immigration issue. By exploring the framing by political actors, Schain skillfully explains how immigration policies and politics within a given country have changed over time. Whether or not one accepts Schain's thesis regarding the centrality of electoral politics in explaining the variation in immigration policies in these three Western countries, his book offers a compelling theoretical explanation of the politicization of immigration. It draws on ample empirical support and invites intellectual engagement, even from those who might think otherwise. It is an important addition to comparative politics, and I expect that it will be widely read and referenced by students of this important topic.' - Perspective on Politics 'In this study Martin Schain scrutinizes immigration politics in three major Western democracies, from a refreshingly comparative standpoint. He relates the domestic politics and immigration policies of Britain, France, and the United States, vividly showing how these nations' policies towards migrants developed and changed over many decades. This volume builds upon and goes beyond previous research, revealing issues and policy dilemmas that transcend any single nation, but that are difficult to discern without Schain's incisive comparative approach.' - Christopher Mitchell, Professor of Politics, New York University, USA 'Martin Schain's book is an immense achievement. It transcends the typical (but artificial) European/North American divide in immigration studies; is written with great clarity and persuasiveness; and it offers an account of immigration policy that rightly rejects overly deterministic structural accounts, placing the accent squarely on politics and the political process. This book should be read as both a theoretical explanation of the politicization of immigration and as an empirical overview of immigration policy and politics in France, Britain, and the US, one that is uniquely sensitive to the particularities of each case. It is indispensable for students of immigration.' - Prof. Randall Hansen, Canada Research Chair in Immigration & Governance, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, Canada 'Martin Schain's book is a tour de force that should be read by all students of immigration policy. He provides a comprehensive, thoughtful comparative analysis in explaining the historic and current differences in the politics and policies of immigration in the United States, France and Britain, focusing on the impact of institutions, the role of different actors, and the dynamics between them. Schain has done a masterly job in examining the vital immigration challenges of our age, notably the ability of the liberal states to controls their frontiers and to integrate their new migrants. Yet beyond these topical issues, this book addresses important implications for how we should understand the question of migration itself.' - Ariane Chebel d'Appollonia, Associate Researcher, CEVIPOF/Center for Political Research, Sciences Po Paris. This Book Argues That Although Labor Market Needs Have Been An Important Element In The Development Of Immigration Policy, They Have Been Filtered Through A Political Process: The Politics Of Immigration. It Is This Process That Drives Immigration Policy In Each Country. By Exploring The Relation Between Policy And Politics In France, The Uk, And The Us, Three Countries That Have Both Welcomed And Severely Restricted Immigrant Entry During Different Periods, This Book Helps To Show How This Goes Far Beyond Labor Market Needs. Cross-nationally, These Policies Have Been Influenced By Considerations Of Race, Domestic Ideas Of What Constitutes National Identity, Citizenship, Naturalization, Urban Policy, Housing, And Education. Introduction : The Politics Of Immigration -- Development Of French Immigration Policy -- Understanding French Immigration Policy -- Politics Of Immigration In France -- Development Of British Immigration Policy -- Understanding British Immigration Policy -- Politics Of Immigration In Britain -- Development Of Us Immigration Policy -- Understanding Us Immigration Policy -- Politics Of Immigration In The United States -- Conclusion. Martin A. Schain. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. By exploring the relation between policy and politics in France, the UK, and the US, three countries that have both welcomed and severely restricted immigrant entry during different periods, this book helps to show how immigration policy has political sources far beyond labor market needs. This book argues that although labor market needs have been an important element in the development of immigration policy, they have been filtered through a political process: the politics of immigration. It is this process that drives immigration policy in each country. By exploring the relation between policy and politics in France, the UK, and the US, three countries that have both welcomed and severely restricted immigrant entry during different periods, this book helps to show how this goes far beyond labor market needs. Cross-nationally, these policies have been influenced by considerations of race, domestic ideas of what constitutes national identity, citizenship, naturalization, urban policy, housing, and education. This Book Argues That Although Labour Market Needs Have Been An Important Element In The Development Of Immigration Policy, They Have Been Filtered Through A Political Process, The Politics Of Immigration. The Book Explores The Relation Between Policy And Politics In France, The Uk, And The Us. Introduction : Immigration Policy And The Politics Of Immigration, The Problem -- The Development Of Immigration Policy In France -- Immigration Policy In France : Mode D'emploi -- Politics And Immigration Policy In France -- The Development Of Immigration Policy In Britain -- Immigration Policy In Britain : How Can We Understand It? -- The Politics Of Immigration In Britain -- The Development Of Immigration Policy In The United States -- Understanding Immigration Policy In The United States -- The Politics Of Immigration In The United States -- Conclusion. Martin Schain. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 313-321) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Introduction: The Politics of Immigration....Pages 1-35 Development of French Immigration Policy....Pages 37-61 Understanding French Immigration Policy....Pages 63-89 Politics of Immigration in France....Pages 91-121 Development of British Immigration Policy....Pages 123-146 Understanding British Immigration Policy....Pages 147-167 Politics of Immigration in Britain....Pages 169-189 Development of US Immigration Policy....Pages 191-215 Understanding US Immigration Policy....Pages 217-244 Politics of Immigration in the United States....Pages 245-284 Conclusion....Pages 285-293 Back Matter....Pages 295-334