How is Germany handling the large number of immigrants in terms of integration? What are strengths and weaknesses of the German integration system? What must be improved? Did the state fail? The thesis statement of this essay is that the integration system of Germany is rather a failure than a success story.
First, the Race Relation Cycles by Park will be explained. Afterwards, the current integration system in Germany will be critically analysed followed by an outline of its consequences. Next, the status quo of Germany’s integration system will be evaluated. Finally, the author will state his advice for policy makers.
Migration and integration are challenges which are posed to national states through globalisation. While these aren’t new international phenomena, their extent is new. 2017’s refugee population globally was the highest since World War Two. "Wir schaffen das" (we make it) said Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2015, referring to the refugee crisis in Germany. Later, this sentence turned into a provocation since large parts of the German population accused her of denying reality. Immigration and integration are still present topics in German politics.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Race Relation Cycles
3. Analysis of the status quo – How is integration managed?
3.1 Asylum Procedure
3.2 Integration measures
4. Consequences of the integration system
4.1 Economy
4.2 Crime
4.3 Political Climate and society
5. Evaluation and policy advice
6. Conclusion
Objectives & Key Themes
This essay aims to critically analyze the integration system of Germany, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and potential for improvement. By analyzing asylum procedures and integration measures, the author argues that the current German system represents a failure of the state rather than a success story.
- The impact of globalization on national states and migration management.
- Theoretical examination of integration through Park's Race Relation Cycles.
- Critical analysis of current German asylum and integration policies.
- Economic and social consequences of the existing integration framework.
- Formulation of policy recommendations to enhance integration efficiency and social cohesion.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Asylum Procedure
After entering Germany, asylum seekers must register at a governmental agency. Only registered immigrants can apply for asylum. Afterwards, they’re accommodated in the nearest reception centre. Depending on their nationality, they stay there or move to another federal state which is specialised on immigrants with their nationality (BAMF 2019b). Then, the Dublin-procedure¹ will be checked. The asylum seeker must attend an interview where he gets informed about the Dublin-procedure. He must explain why he cannot be transferred into another member state of the European Union. The Dublin centre decides if another European state is responsible for the immigrant. If so, Germany initiates a take-back request to the responsible country. If the concerned country agrees, the immigrant gets deported (BAMF 2019c). The taking back of refugees often fails since European states or their home country don’t want to take them back (Brinken 2019). Furthermore, many immigrants aren’t traceable when the repatriation should take place: of 9233 taking back requests from the German government to Italy between 01.01.2018 and 31.05.2018, 8421 requests were accepted. Only 1384 were actually transferred. That’s not an individual case: of 1714 taking back requests to Greece, 36 were accepted and 5 immigrants were transferred (DPA 2018a).
Afterwards, the personal hearing follows. Due to its significance for the immigrant, preparation is provided by aid organisations and the state. The interviewer examines if statements of the immigrant are credible (BAMF 2019d).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the challenges posed by globalization to national states and defines the thesis that the German integration system is failing.
2. Race Relation Cycles: This chapter introduces Robert E. Park’s theoretical model to explain the stages of inter-group interaction between immigrants and domestic populations.
3. Analysis of the status quo – How is integration managed?: This section details the practical steps of the asylum process and existing integration measures, highlighting bureaucratic hurdles and administrative issues.
4. Consequences of the integration system: This chapter examines the outcomes of current policies on the German economy, crime statistics, and the broader political and social climate.
5. Evaluation and policy advice: The author evaluates the system's shortcomings and proposes specific policy interventions, such as mandatory integration courses and streamlined asylum procedures.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, reiterating the argument that the current system's deficiencies necessitate urgent reform to ensure Germany's economic and social stability.
Keywords
Migration, Integration, Germany, Asylum Procedure, Dublin Regulation, Globalization, Integration Measures, Labor Market, Refugee Crisis, Social Cohesion, Policy Advice, Administrative Hurdles, Deportation, Demographic Change, Political Climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how Germany handles the integration of immigrants, evaluating whether the current state policies are effective or if they constitute a failure.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers asylum procedures, integration measures like language courses, economic impacts, crime, and the shifting political climate in Germany following the 2015 refugee crisis.
What is the central research question?
The paper seeks to determine how Germany manages its immigrant population and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the German integration system, ultimately asking if the state has failed in this regard.
Which theoretical and practical methods are employed?
The author uses Robert E. Park’s "Race Relation Cycles" as a theoretical framework and analyzes institutional status-quo data, complemented by expert insights from an interview with a migration specialist.
What aspects are covered in the main body?
The main body breaks down the asylum process (Dublin-procedure), examines the labor market participation of refugees, addresses social integration projects, and analyzes political polarization.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Migration, Integration, Asylum Procedure, Dublin Regulation, Labor Market, Refugee Crisis, and Social Cohesion.
How does the author view the "Dublin-procedure"?
The author highlights the "Dublin-procedure" as a significant administrative hurdle that often fails in practice, noting that many repatriation requests are ineffective because immigrants become untraceable or home countries refuse their return.
What recommendation does the author make regarding integration courses?
The author suggests that long-term integration courses should be mandatory for everyone entering Germany who does not speak the language, and that these should begin immediately upon arrival rather than waiting for the asylum process to conclude.
- Citar trabajo
- David Höhl (Autor), 2019, The Integration of Immigrants in Germany. A Failure of the State?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/465435
