AQCI #3
Mikhail Karpenko
19.11.2015
 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
 Gerli Nimmerfeldt, Jennie Schulze & Marti Taru (2011) “The Relationship between Integration
Dimensions among Second Generation Russians in Estonia” in STSS Vol 3 / Issue 1
Studies of
Transition States and Societies
Central Quotation: “The integration of the new citizens is a two-way street. Just as immigrant citizens are
expected to make a commitment to their new society, and to learn about its language, history, and institutions, so
too the larger society must express a commitment to its immigrant citizens, and adapt its institutions to
accommodate their identities and practices. Just as immigrant citizens are expected to make a new home in the
receiving country, so the receiving country must make them feel at home.” (Kymlicka 2001:37)
Argument: Kymlicka is debating on the liberal states conception and impact of integration as well as the emphasis
to be put on it for it’s successful implementation.
As a response to majority nation-building, immigrants are demanding more “multicultural” model of integration
meaning that they are seeking a change within mainstream institutions, such as schools, courts, welfare agencies and
so on. Therefore, Kymlicka claims that liberal state demands from the foreigners concerning the necessity to learn
the dominant language and basics of local history in order to be granted citizenship are fully justified. In his opinion
such reciprocal cooperation is a basic mechanism of the multicultural integration, which works with a condition of
the mutual aspiration for it’s successful integration coming from both sides.
Question: In the opinion of Kymlicka, the practices of multiculturalism policy can defended as promoting fair
terms of integration. Yet though the question remained open here is how do we guarantee that fairness of the state
policies aimed at pressuring immigrants to integrate?
Experiential Connection: In fact as for the claim that “the integration of the new citizens is a two-way street”
(Kymlicka 2001:37), to me myself as an immigrant such statement sounds like a very true and fair claim. I am
familiar with cases when new comers are doing their best to learn the language and local customs and succeed a lot
in that, although since the receiving side experience certain xenophobia towards foreigners in general, new
immigrants are experiencing feeling of rejection, frustration and disappointment. It is essential for both sides to
cooperate thus enriching each other and not allowing marginalization of any non-dominant groups.
Textual Connection: “Assimilation is viewed as a one-way process by which immigrants must adopt the
customs and cultural practices of the host society, whereas integration is defined as a two-way process of
acceptance and cultural evolution among both the immigrant group and the host society.” (Gerli Nimmerfeldt,
Jennie Schulze & Marti Taru 2011:77). Returning to the definition of the integration we can see that Gerli
Nimmerfeldt, Jennie Schulze and Marti Taru regarded integration primarily as a process, which involves two
parties and their active interaction between each other, whereas assimilation is rather carrying a forceful nature
of inculcation of local norms.
Implications: Lack of the successful cooperation within a society that attempts to promote integration of the
immigrants might cause a dramatic backwash. Marginalization of ethnic groups might lead to tensions and an inner
rupture within a society. Failure of the social-ethnic equality and non-peer treatment might results in inner conflicts
between ethnic groups. Effective and contemporary inclusion policy, that would consider past experience might
help to bring people together, prevent the social division and ensure treatment that correspond to the basics of
human dignity and principles of democracy.
AQCI ASSESSMENT FORM
Student’s
name:
Name of
assessor:
Date:
Essay title:
Excel
lent
1) Is the chosen quotation central to the
author’s argument?
2) Has the main argument been fully
understood (including its ‘for’ and
‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
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?
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?
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:
Go
od
Aver
age
Po
or
Not
accept
able
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