Comparative Multiculturalism

European politicians are rejecting multiculturalism on the grounds that it simply does not work.  As Europe formed the EU and relaxed the once-stringent border controls, many workers from the eastern European countries and Africa entered the western European countries in search for better work opportunities and increased quality of life. Also present in the increased immigration was human trafficking for purposes of cheap farm labor.  While, initially, it seemed these EU countries were accepting of the immigrants, the politicians of late have become outspoken of the need for these migrants to either assimilate into the cultures of their host countries or leave. Many of the immigrants have entered the western European nations but opted to retain their own cultural practices. To ease the resulting strife among natural citizens, politicians are attempting to thwart animosities and feelings that the western European cultures will be lost by mandating adoption of their own culture by individuals seeking residence. Movements in France and Germany are tending to sway away from multiculturalism where, before, they welcomed it; however, extremists such as Geert Wilders would seek to eliminate any and all foreign impacts on European cultures (Professor, 2013). On the extremist side, Wilders is seeking to limit immigration and eliminate the European Parliament. The influx of Muslims into the European communities and their refusal to assimilate has brought extremists views and communications in Wilders’ attempt to “save” European (specifically, Dutch) culture.

When comparing the EU to the United States, however, there is a stark difference in how multiculturalism is accepted and encouraged. As opposed to Muslim observance as is the EU, is as welcoming the U.S. is in encouraging it. Multiculturalism within the US is essentially respecting individual cultural practices and incorporating the differences into the majority (Balakrishnan).

References

Balakrishnan, D. B. (n.d.). The EU’s retreat from multiculturalism. 

Professor. (2013). Multiculturalism . Class Lecture.