I like to illustrate the development of the discussion of the others within the context of the recent decades and I would like to focus on the development of these hegemonic discourses like the construction of the Muslims. I would like to illustrate that the Islam cannot be accepted by the majority of the middle European populations for several reasons. One important factor is the authoritarian history of Germany and the follow-ups for the society. Another reason are principals of xenophobic characteristics, which relate to specific discourses in the media, are connected to the intensity of the relation towards Muslims, the knowledge about the Islam in general and politicians which instrumentalize islamistic terrorism to marginalize Muslims at all.
The Islam is often opposed to Europe rather than to the analogues religious term Christianity. In the medial, political and in less reflected sciences a dualism is constructed, opposing the European secularism towards the Islamic orientalism. Islam is seen as an anti-modern, anti-educational fundamentalism and become the ideological and cultural antithesis of the West.
The recent, so called, refugee crisis had become a political unit and politicizes the masses. Right wing politicians and organizations exploit the origin of their electors as well as the otherness of the refugees to get power. Topics concerning values and norms of ours (the western) societies are keywords in the mainstream discussion within media, the political sphere of discussion and always issued at the Stammtisch (regular table talks).
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Islam in the West
3 Case of Germany
4 Discussion
5 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the construction of "the Other" within the context of the Muslim presence in Europe, with a specific focus on the social and political discourse in Germany. It investigates how historical legacies, media representation, and the politicization of identity contribute to the marginalization of Muslims and the reinforcement of an authoritarian societal character.
- The construction of the "Orient" as an antithesis to Western identity.
- The role of the "refugee crisis" and political discourse in shaping public opinion.
- The impact of stereotypes and identity formation on migrant communities.
- The relationship between authoritarian history, xenophobia, and the perception of Islam.
- The debate surrounding Euro-Islam and integration within a secular society.
Excerpt from the Book
3 Case of Germany
“In a very short space of time ‘Muslim’ has become a key political minority identity acknowledged by right-wing and left-wing bigots and the open minded media and government.” (Tariq Modood 2002: 121, In: Spielhaus 2013: 189)
To understand the political decisions of the nowadays Germany it is important to realize, like Navid Kermani argue, that Germany’s politics are influenced by the national-socialistic past. Several maxims, values and principles dominate the decision making in the context of handling minorities and emboss the public discourse: (1) all humans are equal, (2) the freedom is as a boundless good of all humans to protect, (3) the cultural diversity is an enrichment, (4) every cultural is coequal, (5) minorities are considered as protectable (Brassel-Ochmann 2016: 53). Concerning this political principles, the living together should be manageable (ibid. 54).
For this discourse the relevant history of Muslim People in Germany starts in the 1960s with first so called Guestworker Contracts, also with countries like Morocco and Turkey. In this societal, medial and political discourses the notion of these people changed dramatically (see Spielhaus 2013) in that way that they become Muslims by othering. After more than 50 years of public conscious of Islam, there are more Muslims in Germany than the just former working migrants (GastarbeiterInnen or Guestworker), from countries with a Muslim majority like Turkey and Morocco. It is useful to differ between these three spheres:
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the construction of Orientalism and the bipolarity between the West and the Islamic world as a foundation for the analysis.
2 Islam in the West: Explores theological and ideological differences often cited in conflicts, such as individual rights, equality of the sexes, and the development of diasporic identities.
3 Case of Germany: Analyzes the specific historical and social context of Muslims in Germany, highlighting how the "guestworker" discourse evolved into current forms of othering and xenophobia.
4 Discussion: Critically evaluates the ambivalence of integration demands, such as the Leitkultur concept, and links Islam hostility to authoritarian personality structures in society.
5 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, arguing against segregation and advocating for a more egalitarian discourse that moves beyond dichotomous classifications of "We" and "the Other".
Keywords
Islam, Europe, Germany, Orientalism, Othering, Identity, Migration, Islamophobia, Integration, Leitkultur, Authoritarian Character, Diaspora, Social Cohesion, Xenophobia, PEGIDA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper explores the socio-political construction of Muslims as "the Other" in European society, focusing specifically on how Islam is perceived and marginalized in Germany.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include the historical construction of the Orient, the evolution of migrant identity, the role of media in stereotyping, and the impact of authoritarian social traits on current integration debates.
What is the main objective or research question?
The objective is to understand how hegemonic discourses construct the image of the Muslim in Europe and to analyze why this "othering" persists despite democratic values.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes a qualitative approach, drawing on anthropological concepts, social theory (e.g., Adorno, Edward Said), and a critical analysis of current media discourses and political reports.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body moves from a theoretical framework of Orientalism and identity to a detailed case study of Germany, including historical perspectives on labor migration and current movements like PEGIDA.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Othering, Islamophobia, Diaspora, Authoritarianism, Integration, and Leitkultur.
How does the author connect the German national-socialist past to current Islam hostility?
The author references Adorno and Horkheimer to argue that contemporary prejudice is linked to authoritarian personality syndromes, where a demand for uncritical conformity and a need for clear, hierarchical categorizations persist in post-war societies.
What is the significance of the "guestworker" history for current discourse?
The author argues that the perception of these individuals has shifted over decades from "guestworkers" to "foreigners" and finally to "Muslims," a semantic shift that facilitates the construction of an "Other" that is perceived as incompatible with Western identity.
Why does the author consider the concept of "Leitkultur" problematic?
The concept is viewed as an ambivalent and exclusive tool that demands integration into a vaguely defined set of Christian-Jewish values, which essentially forces individuals to abandon their religious identity to be accepted.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Andreas Schulz (Autor:in), 2016, “We” and “the Others”. Islam in Europe and the Authoritarian Character, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/319987
