In Europe, three models of policies can be distinguished, related to integration:

  • The model of the seasonal worker, for which Germany is the prototype. Migration process is mainly determined by the needs of the labor market, and the presence of the immigrants is only temporary. As a consequence, a legal status is not a necessity and nor a reflection on the possibility to facilitate the cultural diversity.
  • Assimilation model, for which France is representative. Immigration is considered to be permanent; migrants are welcome and get a legal status, under the condition of assimilating the behavioral models of the dominant culture. Immigrants are considered, first of all, as individuals, the concept of immigrants’ community not being acceptable within this model.
  • Ethnic minorities model, for which Great Britain is the prototype. Immigration is regarded as permanent, but the immigrants are defined depending on their ethnic and cultural origin. They build their own communities, different from the existing ones, but the real challenge is to make these communities to live in harmony, within a multicultural society.
  • The current situation in Europe requires new theories, grouping and understanding. Political agenda hasn't changed accordingly.

    I would appreciate links to good material on this topic.

    In addition, Estonia & Latvia (most probably all Baltic states) have declined current immigration wave with the notion that they haven't been able to solve the one from 1970s. Both countries have 1/3 of the population nonspeaking and non-citizen immigrants. The number is growing.

    Is it cultural difference, leftover from transition state or something else?

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