Immigration and the West

From Christopher Caldwell’s new book Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam and the West, this excerpt represents the latest thoughtful intervention in one of our era’s most charged debates. After World War II, Caldwell tells us, Europe sought to purge itself of “all vestiges of racism, militarism, and cultural chauvinism-but also patriotism, pride, and unseemly competitiveness.” A wave of immigrants, however, were encouraged to maintain “comforting prejudices and myths that natives would be disciplined, chastised, ostracized, or jailed for indulging.” A formula for weakening Western values. It’s bracing reading for folks, like Canada’s outspoken immigration minister, who are musing about what newcomers should do to integrate more fully with the society they are joining.

Prospect