The aim of this essay is to outline and critically evaluate William Brubaker’s article on ‘immigration, citizenship and the nation state’, and his views on the ideal-typical case studies of citizenship and nationhood in France and Germany. Using these two case studies as examples of state and sub state nationalism and their role in contemporary global politics. Brubaker’s work will be critiqued and analysed using relevant journal articles and other text. Firstly critiquing Brubaker’s theory on the ideal model of membership on becoming citizens, then discussing his views on immigration and anomalies of membership today and the problems with citizenship.
William Rogers Brubaker focuses primarily on France and Germany, he explains that in
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Brubaker further discusses what a nation-state should be following the model of membership. According to Brubaker the ideal-typical model of membership has six main points; firstly it should be egalitarian which means that everyone is equal and deserve equal opportunity. This may be an important factor in order to make a nation work, Daniel Beland (2003) explains that the French revolution was caused because absolutism did not work, this is when Louis XIV ruled over France and had political power through the church but was overthrown by citizens in the name of equality. The second factor of the ideal-model according to Brubaker is considering the membership to be sacred, nation-states emerged as religion declined, and secular authority was greatly accepted, therefore it is arguable that membership to a particular nation holds people together today than religion (Haralambos and Holborn 2013). Brubaker’s third point to the ideal model is that state-membership should be based on nation-membership, similarly to the French model; this means that the political community should be a cultural community as they are the representatives, acquired through birth and
McClintock, Ann. “No Longer in a Future Heaven: Nationalism, Gender and Race”. In: G. Eley e.a. (eds), Becoming national. Oxford, Oxford University Press: 1996. 259-284
There are millions of people who attempt to cross the border every day. These people cross the border from different countries to the United States to live a better life, to provide for their loved ones, and to live the American Dream. The American Dream is to be able to spend time with family while paying the house bills and the car bill all while having a job. People migrating to the United States could be an advantage and a disadvantage in the United States. In “The Crossing” by Ruben Martinez the social issue is immigration. Immigration is a problem in this story because we see a lot of immigrants trying to migrate to the United States. Ruben Martinez mentions in the short story “The Crossing” This desert is armed with Mexican and American
The chapter “Immigration” by Richard T. Schaefer discusses the immigration status in the United States. The number of immigrants had dramatically changed due to the government policy. The immigration policy changed a lot in the American history such as Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Emergency Quota Act of 1921, and Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.These policies changed the patterns of immigration to the United States. Also, Richard discusses the immigration policy today. The current immigration policies are less restrictive than before, so there are a lot of people can immigrate to the United States. However, there are many debates about the immigration policy today. Some people think that immigrants can benefit the country such
Joppke C., 1999, ‘Immigration and Nation-State: the United States, Germany, and the Great Britain’, Oxford University Press
The "American dream" is different for every person. To some it means financial success, to others it means freedom of expression, while others dream to practice their religion without fear. The "American dream" is a complex concept providing immigrants with the hope of better life. The U.S. government provides the environment and resources for everyone to pursue their dreams. Each year millions of people around the world apply for the Diversity Visa lottery program provided by the U.S. government, however only a few thousand people are lucky enough to come here. America is the place where people are judged by their achievements instead of having references or connections. Even though the American economy is in recession and the achieving of the American Dream is harder, many immigrants still achieve religious, political, financial, and sports dreams here in the U.S.
The visuals presented are to back the argument “Immigration, America’s Advantage” by Lee Habeeb and Mike Leven (p. 469-471). The argument presented is that the government should not prevent immigrants from coming to America because allowing immigrants into the country opens more job opportunities, and in turn boosts the American economy. The graphics presented back this argument.
Ronald Regan describes America as, “…a place in the divine scheme that was set aside as a promised land” (“Loosing the American Dream”). Do Regan’s words have any truth to them? How can America be a promised land when immigrants are still fighting for the chance to pursue the American Dream and social acceptance? Immigrants have different motives for coming to America some may seek citizenship for political freedoms that they once did not have due to uprising civil wars in their native country. Others may come for social freedoms that they were not awarded in their home country due to sexual orientation. Others may come for economic freedoms that allows them to go from rags to riches. No matter the reason, immigrants risk everything for a chance to pursue the American dream. So why is it so hard for immigrants to earn a spot as a citizen of the United States of America? Why are immigrants still facing narrow-mindedness criticism for being foreign? It is time for Americans to change their prejudice views of immigrants.
Citizenship in America is important because no matter where you come from, you will be accepted. America is a country filled with hundreds of heritages that form its unique and colorful background. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, birthright citizenship grants citizenship to every person born in the United States (Rawlins). While this seems to be in-line with the 14th amendment, which states “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside” (Congress), the true intention of this part of the constitution is hotly debated, particularly in light of the current economic downfall in the United States. Automatic birthright
Have you ever wondered what really changed America? The answer to that question is immigration . Due to immigration spiking tremendously in the late 1800s, America was changed forever. America 's population increased by record levels, the job industries were at all time highs, and America became a more diverse country. Immigration transformed American society and culture. I showed the americans that diversity as well as unity are a symbol of national strength. .America was known as “ the land of economic opportunity.” Immigrants came to America from all over the world. Most immigrants in the late 1800s were from Germany, Ireland, and England. Although industrial jobs were the main pull factor for immigration, there were several
In recent discussions, the topic of immigration and the fundamental question of what is to be done with immigration? has been circulating in many american homes today, especially the closer we get to election day. As David Cole puts it in his essay Five Myths about Immigration “But just as in the 1850’s, passion, misinformation, and shortsighted fear often substitute for reason, fairness, and human dignity in today’s immigration debates”(185). Despite misconceptions of immigrants, Cole believes that immigrants positively affect society in several ways. In addition, Cole challenges and questions the beliefs of others in his essay. Whereas, Victor Davis Hanson’s essay Our Brave New World of Immigration focuses
Since the start of the twentieth century America has attracted people all over the world to relocate and start a new life. For many coming to America was a chance for a better life and new things. They all had something in common, they all had a dream, that dream was the "American Dream". In the present day the desire to achieve the dream hasn't changed. However, the idea of the American Dream, brings up a lot of questions. What is the American Dream? Who defines it? Can it be achieved? Lastly, should everyone have a chance to achieve it?
Should the children of illegal immigrants gain citizenship at the expense of American taxpayers? The 14 amendment provides citizenship to “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Because birthright citizenship causes higher rates of illegal immigration, higher taxes, and less opportunities for children of U.S. citizens, it should be abolished.
With 43.7 million immigrants in the U.S., both legal and illegal, what should we do with them? (Camarota, Zeigler)? Do we build a wall to prevent hispanics from entering? Do we provide more resources for ICE? Or do we grant citizenship to those who are already here? Many questions upon us, but we have yet to find an answer to them. A solution, we allow access and grant citizenship to those who are immigrants.
First am going to tell you what a immigrant is which is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. Immigrants have been a problem to our country for many years and things have gotten worse over time. The situation with President Trump in the White House has created less rights for immigrants. The laws about how a person can come to this country and become an American have three main components. A person can legally immigrate to the U.S. if he or she has family here. Secondly, if a job is waiting for the person he or she can come to the United States and work. Lastly, a person who is a refugee can apply
Bharati Mukherjee’s story, “Two Ways to Belong in America”, is about two sisters from India who later came to America in search of different ambitions. Growing up they were very similar in their looks and their beliefs, but they have contrasting views on immigration and citizenship. Both girls had been living in the United States for 35 years and only one sister had her citizenship. Bharati decided not to follow Indian traditional values and she married outside of her culture. She had no desire to continue worshipping her culture from her childhood, so she became a United States citizen. Her ideal life goal was to stay in America and transform her life. Mira, on the other hand, married an Indian student and they both earned labor certifications that was crucial for a green card. She wanted to move back to India after retirement because that is where her heart belonged. The author’s tone fluctuates throughout the story. At the beginning of the story her tone is pitiful but then it becomes sympathizing and understanding. She makes it known that she highly disagrees with her sister’s viewpoints but she is still considerate and explains her sister’s thought process. While comparing the two perspectives, the author uses many