1. The Integration of Muslims in Germany, France and the United States: Law, Politics and Public Policy.
- Author
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Jackson, Pamela Irving and Zervakis, Peter A.
- Subjects
MUSLIMS ,SOCIAL integration ,ACCULTURATION ,ETHNIC groups ,PUBLIC welfare - Abstract
There is no greater domestic socio-political struggle in Germany and France than what these nations have defined as ?the problem? of the integration of their Muslim populations into the society. This problem is exacerbated by the sluggish economic situation faced by twenty-first century post-industrial nations, especially those providing a social welfare cushion to the cyclical shocks of capitalism. The interaction of the visibility and separateness of Muslims and the difficulty of maintaining generous social welfare benefits in the face of reduced economic growth are driving current developments in law, politics and public policy in France and Germany. While the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, brought the U.S. Muslim population under greater scrutiny and increased hate crimes against them, Muslims are, by and large, somewhat more integrated into the general population in the United States than in either Germany or France. This paper seeks to explain why, and to document efforts within each of these societies to promote the integration of Muslims into the social system. After a brief introduction to the visibility of Muslims in each society, the paper examines the utility of world systems, metaconstitutional and conflict theories in explaining the interaction between the host society and its Muslim population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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