AQCI 1
Lecture: European Policies and Practice toward Ethnic Minorities
Lecturer: Antonin Mikes
Student: Izabela A. Kulesza
Date: October 13, 2015
Kymlicka, Will (2001) "Western Political Theory and Ethnic Relations in Eastern Europe"
1. CENTRAL QUOTATION.
“Various studies have shown that the key factor in determining the integration of immigrant groups in
different countries is not the differences in culture between the country of origin and the receiving country,
but rather the policy of the receiving country.” (Kymlicka, 2001, p.42)
2. ARGUMENT.
Kymlicka provides a dialectic model of nation-building and minority rights that allows for a favorable
integration of non-dominant groups. He argues that immigration policy that provides opportunity for
national-inclusion can bridge the gap between civic expectations and minority rights. The ability to naturalize
and become a citizen of a country creates a large incentive to participate in the host-culture. Kymlicka argues
against exclusion of residents who are not offered citizenship, thus remain marginalized as illegal immigrants,
or metics. Extending these privileges to those groups can change the social stigmas associated with
undocumented residents and create greater social capital for the host-country.
3. QUESTION.
Despite the praise Kymlicka attributes to countries like the United States, many US citizens share a
xenophobic attitude. This can be seen in Donald Trump’s effort to seal-off the Mexican border with a wall and
deport illegal immigrants in a record time. Perhaps New York City embraced its “melting pot” but what are
the regional differences in efforts to integrate ethno-cultural minorities?
4. EXPERIENTIAL CONNECTION.
I selected this topic because of my personal experience as a Polish-immigrant in America. As a student in
both, New York City and rural Pennsylvania, my experience varied greatly. The former was supportive of my
language acquisition while the latter proved to be challenging. Something I connected with in Kymlicka’s
writing was the sense of pride and achievement my family experienced through the process of naturalization.
5. TEXTUAL CONNECTION.
In Civic and ethnic nations in France and Germany, Brubaker mentions the very different criteria for obtaining
citizenship in the two countries (p.9). During a pivotal time, when German population largely outnumbered
the French, the latter granted citizenship to second-generation immigrants. The timing of opening borders to
include residents of the non-native country is an important one and also pertains to American history of
immigration. The undesirable metics were highly sought out during the western frontier expansion, for
instance.
6. IMPLICATIONS.
Providing opportunity for citizenship, especially to current residents of their non-native areas, has the
potential to enrich our global community. Policy that allows for a feedback mechanism, much like the didactic
model mentioned by Kymlicka, can ensure fair treatment of the new residents. Debunking the myth of ethnocultural neutrality and embracing diversity can be further supported through educational policy.
Works cited:
Kymlicka, Will (2001)"Western Political Theory and Ethnic Relations in Eastern Europe", in Kymlicka, Will,
Opalski, Magda (eds.) Can Liberal Pluralism be Exported?, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.13 – 103
Brubacker, Rogers, "Civic and ethnic nations in France and Germany", text 28. in Hutchinson, John, Smith
Anthony, ed. (1996) Ethnicity, Oxford - New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 168-173
AQCI ASSESSMENT FORM
Student’s name:
Izabela A. Kulesza
Name of
assessor:
Elina Hiipakka
Date:
14.10.2015
Essay title:
Excel
lent
1) Is the chosen quotation central to the author’s
argument?
Go
od
+
+
3a) Is the question raised
important/relevant/interesting?
3b) Has this question not been fully answered in the
text?
+
4) Is the experiential connection
relevant/interesting?
+
+
+
+
6) Have the implications been well understood, can
they have a practical impact for policy making?
7) Expression/Presentation
a) Are the style, grammar and general use of English
adequate?
b) Is the AQCI professionally presented?
Essay grade:
Further comments:
Po
or
Not
accepta
ble
Comments
+
2) Has the main argument been fully understood
(including its ‘for’ and ‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
5a) Is the textual connection relevant/interesting?
5b) Has it been cited properly?
5c) Has it been adequately explained how the present
text's argument contrasts with, contradicts, confirms,
clarifies, or elaborates the other text's argument or
point?
Avera
ge
+
+
Would have been nice also read
about the different policies of
receiving countries that can be
carried out as an example.
It’s good that the question comes
from your reflection of current
issues.