Immigration policy is a crucial element of a country’s policy making. In each country it developed throughout the history of the respective country and, thus, reflects a nation’s historical development. However, immigration policy does not only reflect the past or historical development of a country or nation, it is also continuously adjusted to contemporary economic, cultural and political events and developments (Finley 27). Thus, it suggests itself that this element of policy making is a very vivid one, since it does not discontinue changing. Moreover, it is a well-known fact that the distinct historical pasts of different countries led to varying approaches to and systems of immigration policy.
Throughout the past decades countries all over the world have witnessed skyrocketing numbers of migrants. While in 1960 there were 76 million migrants worldwide, their number had more than doubled by 2000 with 175 million and further increased drastically to 200 million migrants in 2005 worldwide. Thus, international migrants, including more than nine million refugees, are now said to account for 3% of the world’s population (Finley 27). It goes without saying that it is primarily the rich western countries such as Canada and Germany that attract immigrants due to the fact they are able to provide sophisticated standards of living. Thus, it suggests itself that the ever-increasing number of migrants into western countries call for well-functioning laws and systems governing the influx and the integration of these migrants. Thus, as already indicated by its topic, this essay will shed some light on how the two countries try to govern the influx of immigrants and compare their policies and policy systems.
In order to be able to compare both policies with each other, the essay will begin by providing a brief historical background of Canadian and German immigration and afterwards describe the contemporary immigration policies of both countries briefly. Thereafter, the following distinct elements of these policies in both countries respectively the factors influencing them will be compared: growth of population and economic implications, restrictions, and integration vs. xenophobia.
The aim of this essay is to find out whether the two systems are rather similar to each other or completely different.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Contemporary Canadian Immigration System and Historical Background
- 3. The Contemporary German Immigration System and Historical Background
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to compare and contrast the immigration policies of Canada and Germany, exploring their historical development and contemporary approaches. The analysis focuses on the similarities and differences between the two systems.
- Historical development of immigration policies in Canada and Germany
- Contemporary immigration policies in both countries
- Comparison of factors influencing immigration policies: population growth, economic implications, restrictions, and integration versus xenophobia
- The role of points systems versus other selection criteria
- The challenges of immigrant integration
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for a comparative analysis of Canadian and German immigration policies. It highlights the dynamic nature of immigration policies, emphasizing their responsiveness to economic, cultural, and political changes. The chapter establishes the increasing global migration trends, focusing on the significant influx of migrants into wealthy Western nations like Canada and Germany. It underscores the need for effective legal frameworks to manage this influx and facilitate immigrant integration. The essay's objective – to compare the Canadian and German systems – is clearly defined, outlining the structure of the subsequent analysis, which includes a historical overview and a comparison of key policy elements.
2. The Contemporary Canadian Immigration System and Historical Background: This chapter explores Canada's immigration history, tracing its evolution from a laissez-faire approach in the late 19th century to a more selective policy in the 20th. It highlights the early recognition of the need for immigration to settle the prairies and boost wheat production, while also acknowledging the presence of xenophobic sentiments. The chapter focuses on the implementation of the points system in 1967 as a cornerstone of Canadian immigration policy. The points system's criteria (education, language proficiency, experience, age, employment, and adaptability) and their weighting are discussed, along with the flexibility this system allows for adjusting to changing circumstances. The chapter also briefly mentions other immigrant categories beyond skilled workers and professionals, but emphasizes the points system as the dominant approach. Finally, the chapter touches upon the Canadian government's focus on immigrant integration.
3. The Contemporary German Immigration System and Historical Background: This chapter presents a historical overview of German immigration policies, contrasting Germany's gradual shift from a self-perceived non-immigrant society to a more multi-ethnic one. It details the recruitment of Gastarbeiter (guest workers) in the 1950s and 1960s, primarily from Italy, Turkey, and other Southern European countries, to support the post-war economic boom. The chapter emphasizes the initial expectation that these workers would return to their home countries, contrasting this with the reality of many remaining in Germany with their families. The introduction of the Migration Act in 2005 is a key focus, simplifying the residence permit system and aligning it with the purposes of residence (gainful employment, education, family reunion, and humanitarian reasons). The chapter contrasts the German system's approach to skilled worker immigration with Canada's points system, highlighting the priority given to EU citizens and the restriction on recruitment for low-skilled workers, while emphasizing the streamlined process for highly qualified individuals.
Keywords
Canadian immigration policy, German immigration policy, points system, Gastarbeiter, immigrant integration, xenophobia, skilled workers, economic implications, population growth, Migration Act, historical development, comparative analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Canadian and German Immigration Policies
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an essay comparing and contrasting the immigration policies of Canada and Germany. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores the historical development and contemporary approaches to immigration in both Canada and Germany. Key themes include the similarities and differences between the two systems, the influence of factors like population growth and economic implications, the role of points systems versus other selection criteria, and the challenges of immigrant integration.
What is covered in the Introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the stage for the comparative analysis, highlighting the dynamic nature of immigration policies and the increasing global migration trends. It establishes the essay's objective: to compare the Canadian and German immigration systems and outlines the structure of the subsequent analysis.
What does the chapter on the Canadian immigration system cover?
This chapter traces the evolution of Canada's immigration policy from a laissez-faire approach to a more selective one, focusing on the implementation of the points system in 1967. It details the criteria of the points system (education, language proficiency, experience, age, employment, and adaptability) and discusses its flexibility. The chapter also briefly touches upon other immigrant categories and the government's focus on integration.
What does the chapter on the German immigration system cover?
This chapter examines the historical development of German immigration policies, highlighting the recruitment of Gastarbeiter (guest workers) and the subsequent shift towards a more multi-ethnic society. It focuses on the introduction of the Migration Act in 2005 and contrasts the German system's approach to skilled worker immigration with Canada's points system, emphasizing the priority given to EU citizens and restrictions on low-skilled worker recruitment.
What are the key differences between the Canadian and German immigration systems?
While both countries have evolved their immigration policies over time, a key difference lies in their primary selection methods. Canada heavily relies on a points-based system, while Germany, while having pathways for skilled workers, also prioritizes EU citizens and has historically relied on different approaches like Gastarbeiter programs.
What challenges related to immigration are addressed in the essay?
The essay addresses the challenges of immigrant integration in both countries, acknowledging the complexities involved in successfully integrating newcomers into the social and economic fabric of their new homes. It also implicitly addresses the ongoing tension between the need for immigration to address economic needs and potential societal concerns related to xenophobia.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include Canadian immigration policy, German immigration policy, points system, Gastarbeiter, immigrant integration, xenophobia, skilled workers, economic implications, population growth, Migration Act, historical development, and comparative analysis.
- Quote paper
- Ellen Hofmann (Author), 2007, Contemporary Immigration Policy in Canada and Germany, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/149757
