Print

Immigration and Ethno-Confessional Heterogeneity in Modern France: the Confrontation is Aggraving

17
Rubric: Europe: New Realities
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-2-34-43
EDN: NHGTKJ
N. Lapina, lapina@inion.ru
Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences (INION RAN), 51/21, Nakhimovskii Prosp., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation.
 

Received 21.08.2024. Revised 25.09.2024. Accepted 21.10.2024.

Abstract. Over the past four decades, French society has changed beyond recognition. The large-scale socio-economic changes that resulted from France’s entry into the global economy were accompanied by the closure of entire industries, the growth of mass unemployment, and shifts in the social structure of society. Another consequence of joining the global economy was a massive increase in immigration. By the time it entered the global world, French society was not monoethnic. However, the policy of assimilation of foreigners pursued by the authorities was focused on the forced cultural rapprochement of new arrivals with the indigenous population, and aimed at turning foreigners into “goodó Frenchmen”. Since the mid‑1980s, the political vector has changed: the policy of assimilation has been replaced by multiculturalism and integration. In 2022, there were 7 million immigrants and 6 million Muslims living in the country. For a long time, issues of ethnocultural and religious diversity in France were kept silent. The principle of a civic nation assumes that the citizens of a country share republican values and are subject to the laws of the Republic. Life has forced us to take a fresh look at the correspondence of normative guidelines to social realities. Over the past decades, France has become a country of ethnic and religious diversity. The ethno-confessional split is increasingly acquiring a political dimension. Is it necessary to accept new immigrants? Is there a chance to integrate French-born children of immigrants and newly arrived foreigners into the host society? These issues are the focus of political debate.

Keywords: Muslim community, Islam, France, “islamo-goshism”, public discussion, M. Le Pen, E. Macron, J.-L. Melenchon


REFERENCES

1. Talpin J., et al. L’Epreuve de la discrimination. Enquête dans les quartiers populaires. Paris, PUF, 2021. 420 p.

2. Kepel G. Prophète en son pays. Paris, Ed. de l’Observatoire, 2023. 297 p.

3. Esteves O., Picard A., Talpin J. La France, tu l’aimes, mais tu la quittes. Enquête sur la diaspora française musulmane. Paris, Seuil, 2024. 308 ð.

4. Arbatova N.K. Migration Threat to EU Security: Prejudices and Realities. World Economy and International Relations, 2022, vol. 66, no. 2, ðð. 61-70. (In Russ.) Available at: https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2022-66-2-61-70 

5. Arbatova N.K., Kokeev A.M., Cherkasova E.G., eds. Non-Military Threats to the EU Security. Moscow, Ves’ Mir, 2023. 658 p. (In Russ.)

6. Yashlavskii A.E. “Islamist Separatism” in France as a Factor of Extremism. World Economy and International Relations, 2021, vol. 65, no. 10, pp. 73-80. (In Russ.) Available at: https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2021-65-10-73-80 

7. Gordon A.V. Immigrant Youth of France Against Discrimination. “March of the Bears” 1983. Social Sciences and Humanities. Domestic and Foreign Literature. Ser. 9. Oriental and African Studies, 2024, no. 4 (In Press). (In Russ.)

8. Kepel G. Passions françaises. Les voix des cités. Paris, Gallimard, 2014. 284 ð.

9. Lapina N.Yu. Ethnocultural Metamorphoses of France and the Problem of Adaptation of Immigrants. Current Problems of Europe, 2024, no. 3, ðð. 81-100. (In Russ.) Available at: https://upe-journal.ru/article.php?id=2623 (accessed 21.10.2024).

10. Bennedjaï-Zou A. Heureuse comme une arabe en France. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAE7yKZXC-s (accessed 25.06.2024).

11. Planchon R. Jérôme Fourquet: “Pouvoir d’achat, insecurité, immigration. Corburant de la fusée Bardella”. Le Figaro, 09.06.2024. Available at: https://www.lefigaro.fr/vox/politique/jerome-fourquet-pouvoir-d-achat-insecurite-immigration-carburants-de-la-fusee-bardella-20240609 (accessed 15.06.2024).

12. Gentilhomme C., Laubacher L. Sarah Knafo (Reconquête): “Pourquoi je serai sur la liste de Marion Maréchal”. Le Figaro, 27.04.2024. Available at: https://kiosque.lefigaro.fr/reader/01aba25d-2e27-4672-a4ed-5069a9c84c6b?origin=%2Fcatalog%2Fle-figaro%2Fle-figaro%2F2024-04-27 (accessed 29.04.2024).

13. Semenenko I.S., ed. Identity: Personality, Society, Politics. Encyclopedic Edition. Moscow, Ves’ mir, 2017. 992 p. (In Russ.)

14. Rougier B., ed. Les territoires conquis de l’islamisme. Paris, PUF, 2021. 468 p.

15. Galland O. Des musulmans plus religieux et plus traditionnels que les chrétiens. Bréchon P., Gonthier F., Astor S., eds. La France des valeurs. Quarante ans d’évolutions. Grenoble, PUG, 2019, pð. 234-241.

16. Bergeaud-Blackler F. Le marché halal ou l’invention d’une tradition. Paris, Seuil, 2017. 272 p.

17. Tellier J. Sondage IFOP: Des musulmans français en rupture avec la communauté nationale. Boulevard Voltaire, 30.01.2024. Available at: https://www.bvoltaire.fr/sondage-ifop-des-musulmans-francais-en-rupture-avec-la-communaute-nationale/ (accessed 03.02.2024).

18. Tchernega V.N. Jihadist Challenge in France. Current Problems of Europe, 2017, no. 4, pp. 65-83. (In Russ.) Available at: https://upe-journal.ru/article.php?id=47 (accessed 03.02.2024).

19. Khenkin S.M. Foreign Cultural Communities in Spain: Strangers and “their own”. Current Problems of Europe, 2024, no. 3, pp. 123-141. (In Russ.) Available at: https://upe-journal.ru/article.php?id=2625 (accessed 21.10.2024).

20. Gordon A.V. The Chinese Communities of Paris: To Integrate While Preserving Their Identity. Current Problems of Europe, 2021, no. 3, pp. 136-163. (In Russ.) Available at: https://upe-journal.ru/article.php?id=658 (accessed 21.10.2024).

21. Lapina N.Yu. “Islamic Factor” and Socio-Political Debate on Immigration in Modern France. World Economy and International Relations, 2021, vol. 65, no. 11, pp. 97-105. (In Russ.) Available at: https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2021-65-11-97-105 

22. Sirinelli J.-Fr. Ce monde que nous avons perdu: une histoire de vivre ensemble. Paris, Tallandier, 2021. 396 p.

23. Rouban L. The Uncertainty of French Political Life: the Shift to the Right and the Crisis of Representative Democracy. Current Problems of Europe, 2021, no. 3, pp. 188-212. (In Russ.) Available at: https://upe-journal.ru/article.php?id=660 (accessed 21.10.2024).

24. Roux G. L’immigration: une thématique clivante. Bréchon P., Gonthier F., Astor S., eds. La France des valeurs. Quarante ans d’évolutions. Grenoble, PUG, 2019, pð. 325-331.

25. Dražanová L., Gonnot J. Attitudes Toward Immigration in Europe: Cross-Regional Differences. 2020. Available at: https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/3-66 (accessed 11.07. 2022).


SOURCES

1. Les immigrés frappés par la pauvreté et les bas revenus. Observatoire des inégalités, 31.12.2022. Available at: https://inegalites.fr/Les-immigres-frappes-par-la-pauvrete-et-les-bas-revenus (accessed 15.02.2023).

2. Immigrés et descendants d’immigrés: participation au marché de travail. Paris, INSEE, 2023. Available at: https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/6793266?sommaire=6793391 (accessed 18.03.2024).

3. France, portrait social. Paris, INSEE, 2023. 230 p.

4. Population immigrée, entrées sur le territoire, titres de séjour… S’y retrouver dans les chiffres de l’immigration. Le blog de l’INSEE, 04.04.2024. Available at: https://blog.insee.fr/s-y-retrouver-dans-les-chiffres-de-l-immigration/ (accessed 08.04.2024).

5. L’essentiel sur … les immigrés et les étrangers. Paris, INSEE, 04.04.2024. Available at: https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/3633212 (accessed 05.05.2024).

6. Immigrés et descendants d’immigrés: Niveau de diplôme des immigrés et descendants d’immigrés. Paris, INSEE, 30.03.2023. Available at: https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/6793262?sommaire=6793391 (accessed 15.04.2023).

7. Immigrés et descendants d’immigrés: Chômage. Paris, INSEE, 30.03.2023. Available at: https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/6793274?sommaire=6793391 (accessed 18.03.2024).

8. Heureux comme un Arabe en France, chanson de Médine (paroles). Available at: https://www.google.com/search?q=Heureux+comme+un+Arabe+en+France%2C+chanson+de+M%C3%A9dine+(paroles).&oq=Heureux+comme+un+Arabe+en+France%2C+chanson+de+M%C3%A9dine+(paroles).+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTMyMjlqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 (accessed 14.07.2024).

9. Securité et société. Paris, INSEE, 2021. Available at: https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/5763585?sommaire=5763633#consulter (accessed 12.07.2024).

10. Elections Européennes 2024: 62% des électeurs musulmans ont voté pour LFI, dont 83% qui le justifient par la guerre à Gaza (MàJ: 74% des électeurs musulmans ont voté à gauche). 18.06.2024. Available at: https://www.fdesouche.com/2024/06/18/elections-europeennes-2024-62-des-electeurs-musulmans-ont-vote-pour-lfi-dont-83-qui-le-justifient-par-la-guerre-a-gaza/ (accessed 16.07.2024).

11. Loi N 2024-42 du 26 janvier 2024 pour contrôler l’immigration, améliorer l’intégration. Available at: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000049040245 (accessed 16.02.2024).

12. Immigration: une loi qui change quoi? Reportage, 06.11.2023. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X1IpRpK2s8 (accessed 12.11.2023).

13. En qu[o]i les Français ont-ils confiance aujourd’hui? Baromètre de la confiance politique. Science Po CEVIPOF, février 2024. Available at: https://www.sciencespo.fr/cevipof/sites/sciencespo.fr.cevipof/files/BConf_V15_Extraction1_modif.pdf (accessed 26.03.2024).


For citation:
Lapina N. Immigration and Ethno-Confessional Heterogeneity in Modern France: the Confrontation is Aggraving. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2025, vol. 69, no. 2, pp. 34-43. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-2-34-43 EDN: NHGTKJ

Contents World Eñonomy and International Relations. 2025, vol. 69, no. 2

Comments (0)

Show

No comments

Add comment







Indexed

 

 

 

 

Dear authors! Please note that in the VAK List of peer-reviewed scientific journals, in which the main scientific results of dissertations for the degree of candidate and doctor of sciences should be published for the “MEMO Journal” the following specialties are recorded:
economic sciences:
5.2.5. World Economy.
5.2.1. Economic Theory
5.2.3. Regional and Branch Economics
political sciences:
5.5.4. International Relations
5.5.1. History and Theory of Politics
5.5.2. Political Institutions, Processes, Technologies

 

Current Issue
2025, vol. 69, No. 3
Topical Themes of the Issue:
  • Interference Debate within the UN: Record of Systematic Study 
  • Problems and Ways of Russia’s Access to Non-CIS Countries Product Markets
  • The Integration in Central Asia: Restrictions and Perspectives
Announcement

Dear authors of the journal!

Please note that the author's copies of the issues in which your texts are published are kept in the editorial office for no more than one year. After this period expires, the editorial office has the right to dispose of unclaimed copies at its own discretion.

 

Submit an Article
Submit an Article
INVITATION FOR PUBLICATION
The Editorial Board invites authors to write analytical articles on the following topics:
  • changes in the processes of globalization in modern conditions
  • formation of the new world order
  • shifts in civilization at the stage of transition to a digital society

The editors are also interested in publishing synthesis articles / scientific reviews revealing the main trends in the development of certain regions of the world - Latin America, Africa, South Asia, etc.

Scientific and Practical Seminar of IMEMO, RIAC
and the MEMO Journal