AQCI 3
Lecture: European Policies and Practice toward Ethnic Minorities
Student: Kelsey Beckmeyer
Lecturer: Antonin Mikes
Date: November 1, 2015
Semyonov, M., and A. Glikman. "Ethnic Residential Segregation, Social Contacts, and Anti-Minority Attitudes in
European Societies." European Sociological Review 25, no. 6 (2008): 693-708. Accessed October 31, 2015.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/27745250.
Rex, John (2001) “The concept of a multicultural society” in Guibernau, Montserrat and Rex, John (eds): The
Ethnicity Reader. Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Migration, Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, pp. 205-220
1. CENTRAL QUOTATION. “These studies result in a four-fold conclusion: first, despite being relatively a recent
phenomenon, residential segregation is substantial and wide-spread across European cities; second, patterns of
ethnic residential segregation in Europe are quite similar to those observed in the United States; third, the rate of
ethnic residential segregation between Europeans and ethnic immigrants, although substantial, are not as high as
those between whites and blacks in the United States; they are much more similar to segregation rates observed
between whites and Hispanics; and fourth, for the most part, rates of residential ethnic segregation in European
cities have been increasing over the years” (Semyonov, p. 695).
2. ARGUMENT. Semyonov and Glikman explore the ethnic dynamics in neighborhoods across Europe to determine
the relationship between residential segregation, inter-ethnic contacts, and prejudicial attitudes. Through census
data and surveys, they find that Europeans who live in mixed ethnic neighborhoods are more likely to hold positive
views of non-Europeans, arguing that “The impact of residential segregation on discriminatory attitudes may occur
mainly because spatial segregation is likely to decrease opportunities for inter-ethnic contacts” (Semyonov, p.
695). Europeans who live in homogenous neighborhoods tend to have fewer relationships outside of their own
ethnicity, thus impacting negative views on both Europeans and non-Europeans of different ethnicities. From their
research, the authors also argue that younger, more economically advanced individuals tend to hold more positive
views of ethnic minorities whereas older, lower economically stable and more right-wring affiliated individuals see
ethnic minorities as a greater threat.
3. QUESTION. “The findings presented here reveal, rather forcefully, that ethnic residential segregation decreases
opportunities for the establishment of inter-ethnic contacts and positive inter-ethnic contacts, in turn, are likely to
reduce negative attitudes and social distance between the majority population and ethnic minorities” (Semyonov,
p. 704). Based on these findings, heterogeneous neighborhoods are beneficial to establishing positive inter-ethnic
relations. What might states do to encourage desegregating neighborhoods? Would such policies be ethical? Why
or why not?
4. EXPERIENTIAL CONNECTION. Thinking back on the first lectures and the maps of segregated neighborhoods in
US cities, it is no surprise that racial tensions continue to mount in the United States. At various times throughout
history, each level of government – federal, state, and city – has claimed to attempt to minimize the desegregation
of neighborhoods. However, at the same time, those same institutions have played a substantial role in adding
residential segregation; particularly through low income and public housing. Pruitt-Igoe, a high rise housing project
in Chicago that housed primarily black families, is a prime example of government facilitated residential
segregation. In order to improve the neighborhood, the high rises were ultimately demolished and in their place,
scattered site single family homes and duplexes were built. Yet, residential segregation in Chicago is still easily
identifiable. Will such segregation ever truly be eliminated?
5. TEXTUAL CONNECTION. Semyonov and Glikman’s findings speak to the plural society that Rex describes: “The
plural society was plural in two senses. One was that each ethnic community existed separately and had its own
communal morality. The other was that the private and communal world was separated from that of the market
place” (Rex, p. 208). The homogenous neighborhoods cultivate plural societies where the only inter-ethnic
interactions happen in the public sector. And since Rex argues that plural societies are based on racial domination,
can ethnic minorities ever fully become active citizens in the plural society (Rex, p. 208)?
6. IMPLICATIONS. If residential segregation continues to be the norm and governments intervene to integrate
neighborhoods, NIMBY (Not in my back yard) sentiments that are popular in the US, may emerge in Europe cities.
The sense of comfort for many lower and middle class homogenously European neighborhoods will be disrupted
leading to a possible white flight scenario. It will be up to neighborhoods themselves to cultivate a more
heterogeneous space through grassroots efforts to build community.
AQCI 3
Lecture: European Policies and Practice toward Ethnic Minorities
Student: Kelsey Beckmeyer
Lecturer: Antonin Mikes
Date: November 1, 2015
AQCI ASSESSMENT FORM
Student’s
name:
Kelsey Beckmeyer
Essay title:
AQCI 3
Name of
assessor:
Excel
lent
1) Is the chosen quotation central to the
author’s argument?
Go
od
Date:
Aver
age
Po
or
Not
accept
able
2.11.15
Comments
X
x
2) Has the main argument been fully
understood (including its ‘for’ and
‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
X
3a) Is the question raised
important/relevant/interesting?
3b) Has this question not been fully
answered in the text?
X
X
4) Is the experiential connection
relevant/interesting?
X
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?
X
X
X
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
X
This section
could use
something more
I think.
AQCI 3
Lecture: European Policies and Practice toward Ethnic Minorities
Student: Kelsey Beckmeyer
use of English adequate?
b) Is the AQCI professionally presented?
Essay grade:
Further comments:
X
Lecturer: Antonin Mikes
Date: November 1, 2015