Immigration policy is a crucial element of a country’s policy making. In each country it developed throughout the history of the respective country and, thus, reflects a nation’s historical development. However, immigration policy does not only reflect the past or historical development of a country or nation, it is also continuously adjusted to contemporary economic, cultural and political events and developments (Finley 27). Thus, it suggests itself that this element of policy making is a very vivid one, since it does not discontinue changing. Moreover, it is a well-known fact that the distinct historical pasts of different countries led to varying approaches to and systems of immigration policy.
Throughout the past decades countries all over the world have witnessed skyrocketing numbers of migrants. While in 1960 there were 76 million migrants worldwide, their number had more than doubled by 2000 with 175 million and further increased drastically to 200 million migrants in 2005 worldwide. Thus, international migrants, including more than nine million refugees, are now said to account for 3% of the world’s population (Finley 27). It goes without saying that it is primarily the rich western countries such as Canada and Germany that attract immigrants due to the fact they are able to provide sophisticated standards of living. Thus, it suggests itself that the ever-increasing number of migrants into western countries call for well-functioning laws and systems governing the influx and the integration of these migrants. Thus, as already indicated by its topic, this essay will shed some light on how the two countries try to govern the influx of immigrants and compare their policies and policy systems.
In order to be able to compare both policies with each other, the essay will begin by providing a brief historical background of Canadian and German immigration and afterwards describe the contemporary immigration policies of both countries briefly. Thereafter, the following distinct elements of these policies in both countries respectively the factors influencing them will be compared: growth of population and economic implications, restrictions, and integration vs. xenophobia.
The aim of this essay is to find out whether the two systems are rather similar to each other or completely different.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Contemporary Canadian Immigration System and Historical Background
3. The Contemporary German Immigration System and Historical Background
4. Growth of Population and Economic Implications
5. Restrictions
6. Integration vs. Xenophobia
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
The primary objective of this study is to compare the immigration policies of Canada and Germany to determine whether these two nation-states pursue fundamentally similar or divergent systemic approaches. The research investigates how both countries address the challenges of managing immigrant influxes in the context of aging populations and economic requirements.
- Historical evolution of immigration frameworks in Canada and Germany
- Mechanisms for regulating influx, including point systems and residency permits
- Demographic shifts and the economic necessity of skilled labour
- Challenges related to national security and restrictive border policies
- Integration strategies and the social phenomenon of xenophobia
Excerpt from the Book
The Contemporary Canadian Immigration System and Historical Background
Canada, as a former colony of the British Empire, has a long history of immigration. Hence, it has already witnessed a shift from a theoretical laissez-faire policy at the end of the 19th century to a selective policy introduced in the beginning of the 20th century (Timlin 517). While there was an overall consensus that immigrants were urgently needed for the settlement and farming of the prairies in the West in order to increase the country’s wealth by increasing the wheat production (Timlin 518, 520), there was no consensus as to which group of immigrants were the most desirable or should even be admitted at all (Timlin 518/19; Cavell 345/46). Thus, xenophobic attitudes could already be witnessed back then. However, this topic will be explored in greater detail at a later point of this essay. Moreover, Canada had to come to grips with the problem of emigration from Canada exceeding immigration to Canada for an extended period of time from the mid-19th century until the beginning of the 20th century (Timlin 518).
Since 1967, Canada employs the points system as a means of its immigration policy (Hawkins 77). Canada’s points system puts up several criteria for which it attaches numerical weights. These criteria and their weighting may vary over time according to the intention the government pursues with its immigration policy. I will shed some light on these possible intentions of and approaches to immigration policy at a later point of this essay. At the moment, the Canadian immigration policy emphasizes the following criteria for skilled workers and professionals: education, ability in English and/or French, experience, age, arranged employment in Canada and adaptability.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces immigration policy as a dynamic and crucial element of nation-state governance and outlines the study's goal to compare Canadian and German approaches.
2. The Contemporary Canadian Immigration System and Historical Background: This section provides an overview of Canada's historical shift towards selective immigration and explains the function of the modern points-based system for skilled workers.
3. The Contemporary German Immigration System and Historical Background: This chapter details Germany's transition from a non-immigrant self-perception to a multi-ethnic society, focusing on the 2005 Migration Act and its impact on residency permits.
4. Growth of Population and Economic Implications: This chapter discusses how both nations leverage immigration to mitigate the economic impacts of declining birth rates and aging domestic populations.
5. Restrictions: This section examines the necessity of managing immigration influxes and the complexities of balancing national security with the need for foreign labour.
6. Integration vs. Xenophobia: This chapter explores the social tensions caused by immigration and analyzes the efforts made by both governments to promote successful integration and multiculturalism.
7. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes that despite different historical paths, Canada and Germany share highly similar underlying economic and demographic motivations for their immigration policies.
Keywords
Immigration Policy, Canada, Germany, Points System, Migration Act, Labour Market, Integration, Xenophobia, Demography, Economic Growth, Skilled Workers, Multiculturalism, Residency Permit, National Security, Birth Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines and compares the immigration policies of Canada and Germany, analyzing how both countries manage migration to serve their specific economic and demographic needs.
What are the central themes covered in this analysis?
The study covers historical developments, immigration selection systems, the economic implications of aging populations, security restrictions, and social integration challenges.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine if the immigration systems of Canada and Germany are fundamentally similar in their strategic objectives and policy approaches.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author uses a comparative analysis method, evaluating historical data, policy documents, and academic literature to contrast the approaches of both nation-states.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body details the specific mechanics of Canadian and German policies, such as Canada's point system versus Germany's residency permits, and explores the shared pressure of declining birth rates.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key topics include Immigration Policy, Economic Growth, Labour Market, Integration, and Demographic Change.
How does Germany’s new Migration Act compare to the Canadian system?
While the German system uses residency permits oriented by the purpose of stay, it mirrors Canada’s intent to manage influxes while fostering integration, despite having different structural mechanisms.
Why is the "points system" significant to Canadian policy?
The points system provides a flexible, criteria-based mechanism that allows the government to adapt to shifting economic and political circumstances by prioritizing specific applicant profiles.
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- Ellen Hofmann (Autor:in), 2007, Contemporary Immigration Policy in Canada and Germany, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/149757
