In "Go Back to Where You Came From," journalist Sasha Polakow-Suransky takes a deep dive into the complex and often contentious issue of immigration in Europe. The book explores how the ongoing immigration crisis has shaped the political landscape across the continent, drawing parallels between current events and the dangerous political climate of the 1930s. Polakow-Suransky's work provides valuable insights into the rise of right-wing populism, the challenges faced by Muslim immigrants, and the potential threats to democracy and human rights that have emerged as a result.
The Impact of 9/11 on Muslim Perception
A Lingering Shadow
The events of September 11, 2001, cast a long shadow over the global perception of Muslims. Even though the attacks were carried out by a tiny minority of extremists, the entire Muslim population – numbering 1.5 billion worldwide – continues to face the consequences of that fateful day.
The European Immigration Wave
Since 2015, Western Europe has experienced a significant influx of Muslim immigrants. However, the integration of these newcomers has been hampered by suspicions and fears that have been brewing since 9/11. In contrast, immigrants from Eastern Europe and other non-Muslim regions, despite also causing demographic shifts, are generally viewed as less threatening.
The Perceived Threat to Western Culture
At the heart of Western concerns about Muslim immigrants is the fear that their religion poses a danger to Western culture and democratic values. Many worry that Muslims will attempt to impose Sharia law, which they believe conflicts with liberal Western ideals such as gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
Political Voices Fueling Fear
Politicians like Marine Le Pen of France's Front National party have been vocal in promoting the idea that Muslim immigrants threaten the secular nature of Western societies. Le Pen, for instance, argues that the presence of Halal butcher shops in French neighborhoods is more threatening to secularism than Christmas displays in department stores.
Demands for Allegiance
In Denmark, far-right politicians like Soren Espersen of the People's Party have suggested that immigrants should be required to publicly declare their allegiance to the Danish constitution, prioritizing it above their religious beliefs.
The Role of the Left in Fueling Islamophobia
Unexpected Sources of Anti-Muslim Sentiment
Surprisingly, it's not just right-wing attitudes that have contributed to the negative perception of Muslims. Liberal principles such as gender equality and freedom of speech have also been weaponized against Muslim communities.
The Charlie Hebdo Attack
The January 2015 terrorist attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a left-leaning satirical magazine in Paris, became a flashpoint in the debate over Islam and free speech. The attack, carried out by individuals linked to Al-Qaeda, was motivated by the magazine's publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed.
Liberal Reactions and Stereotypes
In the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attack, some left-leaning individuals interpreted it as proof that Muslims pose a threat to free speech and are prone to violent censorship. Even Muslims who didn't express anger over the cartoons were sometimes labeled as "not proper Muslims," reinforcing harmful stereotypes about what it means to be a "true" follower of Islam.
The Far-Right's Co-opting of Liberal Issues
Guardians of Social Equality?
In a surprising twist, far-right groups have begun positioning themselves as the defenders of liberal values, particularly when it comes to issues like gender equality.
The Cologne Incident
A prime example of this strategy emerged following the New Year's Eve 2015 incident in Cologne, Germany, where a group of allegedly Muslim refugees were accused of sexually assaulting numerous women. Right-wing media outlets suddenly adopted a feminist perspective, using the incident to voice their Islamophobic views under the guise of protecting women's rights.
The Charlie Hebdo Cartoon Controversy
The complex interplay between liberal values and anti-Muslim sentiment was further illustrated by a controversial cartoon published by Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Laurent Sourisseau. The image depicted Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee whose tragic death made global headlines, growing up to become one of the Cologne attackers. While Sourisseau's trauma from the earlier attack on Charlie Hebdo likely influenced his work, the cartoon was widely interpreted as suggesting that even child refugees don't deserve sympathy if they are Muslim.
Drawing Parallels with Nazi-Era Anti-Semitism
Denials of Similarity
Right-wing voices often argue that their Islamophobia is fundamentally different from Nazi-era anti-Semitism, claiming that their fears are rational due to the reality of terrorist attacks carried out by Muslim extremists.
Historical Parallels
However, the author points out striking similarities between the current climate of Islamophobia and the anti-Semitism of the 1930s. In 1938, a young Jewish man named Herschel Grynszpan assassinated German diplomat Ernst vom Rath in Paris. The Nazis used this isolated incident to intensify their anti-Semitic propaganda, claiming that Jews were plotting to destroy German society.
Kristallnacht and Its Modern Echoes
The assassination of vom Rath directly led to Kristallnacht, a night of widespread violence against Jewish homes and businesses throughout Germany. This event is now recognized as a crucial turning point in the fate of European Jews. The author suggests that the current demonization of Muslims by populist right-wing movements bears unsettling similarities to this historical precedent.
Co-opting Jewish Support
In a cynical attempt to gain credibility and liberal sympathy, some right-wing parties now claim that their Islamophobic agenda is intended to protect Jews. This tactic is exemplified by Marine Le Pen's efforts to distance the Front National from its anti-Semitic past under her father's leadership.
The Danger of Collective Blame
The key lesson here is that when a political party holds an entire ethnic or religious group responsible for the actions of a few extremists, they put countless innocent people at risk.
The Counter-Citizen Dilemma
A No-Win Situation
Muslim immigrants in Europe often find themselves in an impossible position: if they work, they're accused of stealing jobs from native citizens; if they receive welfare benefits, they're labeled as burdens on society who exploit taxpayer money.
The Concept of the Counter-Citizen
This predicament is known as being a "counter-citizen," a term describing individuals who are made to feel separate from those with strong ancestral connections to the country, despite potentially being born there themselves.
Religion as the Defining Factor
For Muslims in Europe, it's often their religion rather than their place of birth that defines them in the eyes of society. This perception can lead to them being viewed as parasites rather than valuable members of the community.
Failed Integration Policies
The counter-citizen dilemma is frequently exacerbated by ineffective integration policies. Many countries provide immediate government support to new immigrants without prioritizing language training or vocational education. This approach creates opportunities for right-wing politicians to stoke resentment among native populations.
Welfare Chauvinism
In countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, strong populist movements have promoted the concept of "welfare chauvinism" – the idea that social welfare should be protected, but only for "us" and not for "them."
The Dangers of Marginalization
Double Standards and Radicalization
The blatant disregard for equal treatment between Muslims and white European populations can contribute to the radicalization of marginalized individuals.
The Burkini Ban
France's 2016 "burkini ban" serves as a stark example of this double standard. Muslim women wearing full-body swimsuits were fined and forced to leave beaches, while similarly covered nuns faced no such restrictions.
Vulnerability to Extremist Recruitment
One of the most dangerous consequences of treating immigrants as outsiders is that it makes them vulnerable to recruitment by fundamentalist groups. These organizations prey on individuals who feel rejected by society, offering them a sense of belonging and purpose.
The Left's Abandonment of the Working Class
A Shift in Voter Base
The rise of right-wing populism isn't solely due to fears about immigration; it's also a result of working-class voters feeling abandoned by left-wing parties.
The Impact of Immigration on Working-Class Communities
During the 1990s and early 2000s, when immigration rates were rising, working-class neighborhoods were the first to feel the effects. New arrivals settled in these areas, increasing competition for blue-collar jobs.
Dismissal of Concerns
When working-class voters expressed concerns about these changes, their traditional left-wing representatives often dismissed them, warning that such complaints could be perceived as racist.
Right-Wing Exploitation
Right-wing parties seized this opportunity, successfully appealing to former liberal constituencies by addressing their immigration concerns.
The Roots of Anti-Immigration Sentiment
What left-wing leaders failed to recognize was that worries about immigration aren't always rooted in racism; sometimes, they stem from economic insecurity.
Class Divide on Globalization
Middle-class populations often feel economically secure enough to support globalization, while working-class individuals may long for a return to a more nationalistic era when competition for jobs was less intense.
The European Union Divide
For middle-class, left-wing Europeans, the EU represents opportunity and education. For working-class citizens living paycheck-to-paycheck, it can be seen as a threat to their economic stability.
A United Front Against the "Other"
When working-class voters felt their voices were ignored on immigration and refugee policies, it created another opportunity for right-wing parties to gain support. This led to a coalition between right-wing politicians and blue-collar voters united against the perceived threat of newcomers disrupting the status quo.
The Rise of Identity Politics
A Shift in Political Focus
The debate over immigration has increasingly been fought using identity politics, where discussions center on issues of ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, and national identity rather than traditional policy matters.
The White Working Class as a "Minority"
In response to increased immigration, the white working class has begun to position itself as a minority group. This shift is particularly noticeable in the United States, where white Christian Americans became a statistical minority for the first time in 2015.
Reassertion of Ethnic Pride
Feeling that their political power was declining, white Christians began to more strongly assert their ethnic identity and voice their beliefs.
The Psychology of Authoritarianism
The Authoritarian Response to Perceived Threats
Research by political psychologist Karen Stenner suggests that the desire for authoritarianism is not a constant trait in most people, but rather emerges in response to the perceived threat of losing power.
Immigration as a Trigger
The influx of immigrants can trigger a desire for strict authoritarian control among those who feel threatened, as they hope this will protect them from newcomers.
Populist Exploitation of Fears
Populist parties are adept at recognizing and amplifying these fears, offering authoritarian solutions as a means of eliminating the perceived threat.
The Role of Fake News
Stenner's research also found that fake news can be particularly effective in triggering latent authoritarian tendencies, increasing the likelihood of support for parties with hard-line approaches.
The Shifting Political Landscape
Right-Ward Shift of the Center
The success of right-wing populist parties in recent elections has forced established parties across Europe to adopt some populist policy stances, particularly on immigration. This has resulted in a significant rightward shift of the political center.
The Importance of Left-Wing Economic Policies
To counter this trend, the author argues that the left must develop viable economic policies that address voters' concerns without resorting to fear-mongering or violence.
The Populist Strategy
Interestingly, many far-right candidates may not actually want to be in a position of ultimate power, as this would require them to deliver on often unrealistic campaign promises. Instead, they prefer to influence the policies of larger parties while maintaining their outsider status.
The Risk of Voter Alienation
When left-leaning establishment parties adopt more radical policies, they risk alienating their base, potentially causing supporters to move further left rather than to the right.
The Importance of Democratic Institutions
Beyond Voting
The author emphasizes that democracy relies on more than just the voting process. The judicial system plays a crucial role in upholding fairness and preventing the majority from endangering minority rights.
The Threat of Judicial Interference
A significant danger arises when leaders attempt to replace members of the judiciary with those who will adhere to their agenda, undermining the checks and balances essential to a healthy democracy.
The Need for Vigilance
The author argues that we cannot remain silent in the face of these threats. Populist parties, with their hateful rhetoric, blatant lies, and disregard for scientific facts, pose a real danger to democratic societies.
Conclusion
"Go Back to Where You Came From" presents a sobering analysis of the current political climate in Europe and its implications for democracy and human rights. Sasha Polakow-Suransky's work highlights the complex interplay between immigration, identity politics, and the rise of right-wing populism.
The book serves as a warning about the dangers of allowing fear and xenophobia to drive political discourse and policy-making. It emphasizes the need for balanced, compassionate approaches to immigration that address legitimate concerns without scapegoating entire communities.
Key takeaways include:
- The lingering impact of 9/11 on perceptions of Muslims in the West
- The role of both right-wing and left-wing rhetoric in fueling Islamophobia
- Parallels between current anti-Muslim sentiment and historical anti-Semitism
- The concept of the "counter-citizen" and its impact on immigrant integration
- The abandonment of working-class voters by traditional left-wing parties
- The rise of identity politics and its influence on political discourse
- The psychology behind the appeal of authoritarian leadership
- The rightward shift of the political center in response to populist pressures
- The importance of maintaining strong democratic institutions
Polakow-Suransky's work challenges readers to critically examine their own beliefs and biases, and to consider the long-term consequences of allowing populist movements to shape immigration policies. It serves as a call to action for those who value diversity, equality, and democratic principles to stand up against the marginalization of minority groups and to work towards more inclusive societies.
Ultimately, "Go Back to Where You Came From" reminds us that the strength of a democracy lies in its ability to protect the rights of all its residents, regardless of their background or beliefs. As Europe and other parts of the world grapple with the challenges of immigration and integration, this book offers valuable insights into the complex forces at play and the potential paths forward.
By understanding the historical context and psychological factors driving current political trends, we can better navigate the challenges of building diverse, cohesive societies in an increasingly interconnected world. The book encourages readers to look beyond simplistic narratives and easy scapegoats, and instead engage with the nuanced realities of immigration, identity, and social change.
As we move forward, it is crucial to find ways to address legitimate concerns about immigration and integration without resorting to xenophobia or sacrificing democratic values. This may involve developing more effective integration policies, addressing economic inequalities that fuel resentment, and fostering open dialogue between different communities.
"Go Back to Where You Came From" serves as both a warning and a guide, offering a comprehensive look at one of the most pressing issues of our time. It challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths about our societies and to work towards a more inclusive and just future for all.