Difference Between Immigration And National Identity

National Identity and Immigration Due to the increasing amount of conflict around the world such as the Syrian civil war, immigration and refugees have increased to unprecedented numbers not seen since World War II. The belief that social problems are created by immigration has created the perception that national identity, in nations like New Zealand, is threated resulting in increased crime rates and lack of job opportunities. The purpose of this literature review is to analyse the literature to see the perception of national identity being threatened is shared by New Zealanders by immigration. Historically New Zealand has and continues to be a nation of immigrants with many being descendants of Europeans and Pacific islanders

National identity is defined as the way individuals in a society feel part of a broader community or nation. This can be enhanced by social structures including a collective name, a common descent, shared history, a common language, a distinctive culture or an association with a specific territory (Barwick, 2007), National identity is maintained through shared narratives and by the contribution of the idea of boundaries to understanding national identity (Barwick, 2007). Groups such as New Zealanders define their identity through the perceptions of its members which distinguish them from other groups. This allows for great diversity within a nation as long as boundary mechanisms are maintained (Barwick,

Therefore individuals who do not align with “normal” behaviour and/or break the law are seen as challenging these values and as such deserve a greater punitive response from society (Pratt, 2006). This outcome provides a sharp contrast compared to less punitive societies who show more tolerance and take a reduced punitive approach to punishment (Pratt, 2006). New Zealand is a society with excessive emphasis on social cohesion and conformity (Pratt, Clark,