Description
Book SynopsisImmigration is a divisive policy issue in modern liberal democracies. A common worry is that immigration poses a threat to social cohesion, and so to the social unity that underpins cooperation, stable democratic institutions, and a robust welfare state. At the heart of this worry is the suggestion that social cohesion requires a shared identity at the societal level. In The Politics of Social Cohesion, Nils Holtug gives a careful assessment of the impact of immigration on social cohesion and egalitarian redistribution. First, he critically scrutinizes an influential argument, according to which immigration leads to ethnic diversity, which again tends to undermine trust and solidarity and so the social basis for redistribution. According to this argument, immigration should be severely restricted. And second, he considers the suggestion that, in response to worries about immigration, states should promote a shared identity to foster social cohesion in the citizenry. Holtug argues that
Table of Contents1: Introduction Part I. Identity, Social Cohesion and Justice 2: National Identities and Nation-Building 3: Social Cohesion and Identity 4: Social Justice Part II. Immigration 5: Immigration and the Progressive's Dilemma 6: Global Justice Part III. Integration 7: Nationalism 8: Liberalism 9: Multiculturalism
