Why is the current flow of migration generally called a crisis? In the last century, Europe faced major flows of migration and large movements of people, especially during and after the world wars. Nevertheless, the term crisis was never associated with refugees or used in order to label a flow of migration before.
A crisis is an expression for a time of intense difficulty or danger (Oxford University Press, 2016). Therefore, in the context of the EU and the current situation, the term indicates that the refugees are posing enormous difficulties and dangers to the European Union. More specific, these difficulties consist of the search for a mutual European agreement over the distribution and the acceptance of asylum seekers. This discussion is threatening the unity of Europe and causing therefore dangers to the uncertain future of the European Union.
The following chapter provides a review of the reasons for, origins and the development of the refugee crisis. It explains where and when the crisis started and how it progressed. The period of investigation starts in May 2011 and examines the main developments until the 30th of April 2016, later developments are not considered. Subsequently, through the gathered information, the European approach towards the refugees and migrants is evaluated, analysed, and compared to possible solutions. The succeeding last chapter finally suggests a fitting problem-solving approach, which would enable the EU to tackle the refugee crisis. This approach includes the possibility for Europe to solve the whole issue together as a unity while still respecting the desires of each EU member state.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. The EU Refugee Crisis
III. Evaluation of the EU Approach to Refugees and Migrants
IV. Suggestion for Improvement
Research Objectives and Themes
The paper evaluates the European Union's response to the refugee crisis between 2011 and 2016, specifically critiquing the agreement with Turkey as a policy solution and proposing an alternative, values-based mechanism for refugee distribution and integration within the EU.
- Historical development and origins of the Syrian refugee crisis (2011–2016).
- Evaluation of current EU policy, including the EU-Turkey agreement.
- Ethical and legal dilemmas regarding refugee resettlement and burden sharing.
- Proposal for a "social and fair" redistribution approach based on European funding models.
Excerpt from the Book
Further developments that led to the refugee crisis
Two factors influence people in their decision to flee their country, pull factors and push factors. Former is because of better economic opportunities in another country, which generate the hope for a better life and pull migrants towards this country. The latter factor however describes the flight from terror, death and persecution, factors that push someone out of his country.
While most refugees left their home because of war brought by the invasion of their country by the Islamic State or the Syrian civil war against the regime of Assad, some other people left their country because of economic reasons. The latter reason sounds less important than the first one, but for many Syrian people it is not. “Back in 2010 the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation warned that, after the longest and most severe drought in Syria, since records began in 1900, 3 million Syrians were facing extreme poverty” (Gardiner, 2015). These droughts occurred not only in Syria but also in its neighbour states. During and after the droughts, it was impossible to cultivate and unfortunately, the rural population in the near east countries consisted mostly of farmers (Gardiner, 2015). As a result, these farmers fled to the big cities for better job and life opportunities, but there were none (Gardiner, 2015). The only logical conclusion was leaving the country in order to survive. Consequently, millions of Syrians and many other people from different countries left their homes and fled. Together with the people, fleeing from the war, they caused one of the greatest migration flows in the modern history.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the terminology of the "refugee crisis" and outlines the investigation period from May 2011 to April 2016, focusing on the search for a unified EU response.
II. The EU Refugee Crisis: This section provides a detailed chronological review of the refugee crisis, tracing the progression from initial Syrian displacement to the widespread humanitarian challenges across the Balkans and the Mediterranean.
III. Evaluation of the EU Approach to Refugees and Migrants: This chapter analyzes the EU's policy response, specifically criticizing the reliance on border closures and the deal with Turkey as ethically and legally problematic.
IV. Suggestion for Improvement: This concluding chapter proposes an alternative mechanism for refugee handling, combining elements of the European Refugee Fund with a tax-based incentive system for member states.
Keywords
Refugee crisis, European Union, Syria, Migration policy, EU-Turkey agreement, Humanitarian aid, Border control, Dublin Regulation, Balkan route, Resettlement, Solidarity, European Refugee Fund, Social integration, Political economy, Asylum seekers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this assignment?
The assignment focuses on evaluating the European Union's approach to the refugee crisis between 2011 and 2016, analyzing how political decisions impacted the migration flow and proposing a new framework for improvement.
What are the core themes discussed?
The core themes include the historical origins of the crisis, the humanitarian impact in the Mediterranean, the political friction within the EU regarding quotas, and the ethical implications of outsourcing migration management to Turkey.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to demonstrate that the current EU-Turkey agreement is insufficient and unethical, and to suggest a more cohesive, solidarity-based approach that respects EU values while managing member state responsibilities.
Which scientific methods were used to conduct this study?
The work employs a qualitative review of historical timelines, policy analysis, and a comparative examination of proposed solutions, supported by secondary data from international organizations and official EU reports.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body covers a comprehensive timeline of events from 2011 to 2016, evaluates three specific policy options for solving the crisis, and details a proposal to merge the European Refugee Fund with a solidarity tax model.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include: Refugee crisis, EU policy, humanitarian aid, Syrian civil war, border management, solidarity, and economic redistribution.
How does the author characterize the EU-Turkey agreement?
The author argues that the agreement is unethical and contradictory to EU values, as it effectively shifts responsibility for refugees to Turkey in exchange for money and political concessions, rather than fostering internal EU cooperation.
What specific proposal is made in the final chapter?
The author suggests a mandatory voting system for EU countries regarding refugee intake; those that vote against accepting refugees would be required to pay into an EU-wide fund that supports those nations that do accept and integrate refugees.
- Citation du texte
- Peter Bernklau (Auteur), 2016, Evaluation of the existing EU approach to refugees and migrants and a suggestion for improvement, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/338579
