Leo Lucassen on Integration of Post-War Immigrants in Western Europe
Welcome to
UBLaw Conversations, a production of University at Buffalo Law School
and the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy. Today is October 23,
2008, and I'm James Milles, Professor of Law and Director of the Law
Library.
Our guest today is Professor Leo Lucassen. Professor
Lucassen holds the chair of Social History at Leiden University and is
attached to the Institute of Ethnic and Migration Studies (IMES) in
Amsterdam. He is a former fellow of the New School for Social Research
in New York and the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS). He
is a specialist in the migration history of Europe and has also worked
extensively on gypsies and itinerant groups. His recent publications
include: Migration; Migration History; History: Old Paradigms and New Perspectives (1997, 1999, and 2005) (ed. with Jan Lucassen); Gypsies and other Itinerant Groups. A Socio-Historical Approach (1998), The Immigrant Threat: The Integration of Old and New Migrants in Western Europe since 1850 (2005); Paths of Integration. Migrants in Western Europe (1880-2004) (2006) (ed. with J Oltmer & D Feldman); and the forthcoming Migration in Europe: An Encyclopedia (2009) (ed. with K Bade, P Emmer & J Oltmer). He is interviewed here by Professor David Gerber, of the University at Buffalo Department of History.
Abstract: This paper compares the propensity to intermarry of various migrant
groups and their children who settled in Germany, France, England, Belgium,
and the Netherlands in the post-war period, using a wide range of available
statistical data. Professor Lucassen explains the different intermarriage patterns within
the framework of Alba and Nee’s assimilation theory and pays special
attention to the role of religion, colour and colonial background. He
then compares colonial with non-colonial migrants and within these categories
between groups with "European" (Christian/Jewish) and non-European
(Islam, Hinduism) religions.
Thank you for joining us today. The theme music is "Brazilian Nights" by Jack Jezzro, and is available through the Podsafe Music Network. Please join us again next time for another conversation from University at Buffalo Law School.
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