Symbolic Violence

Helena Flam and Brigitte Beauzamy’s ‘Symbolic Violence’ is the first chapter within the third and final section of the book, titled ‘Cases of Belonging and Exclusion’. It assesses the relevance of the concept of symbolic violence, now perhaps primarily associated with Pierre Bourdieu, for understanding the ‘everyday’ forms of discrimination faced by migrants in Europe.

What Space for Migrant Voices in European Anti-Racism?

Çaǧla E. Aykaç’s ‘What Space for Migrant Voices in European Anti-Racism?’ investigates the development of a critical policy analysis of the European Union.

Identity, Belonging and Migration: Beyond Constructing ‘Others’

‘Identity, Belonging and Migration: Beyond Constructing ‘Others’’, written by Paul Jones and Michael Krzyanowksi, addresses similar themes to the chapter that comes before it by seeking to discourage the uncritical application of the concept of identity, which the authors argue is not always helpful when assessing the relationship of migrants to collectives.

Introduction: Migration, Discrimination and Belonging in Europe

This introductory chapter foregrounds the topics of discussion to follow, including studies on societal discourse and racism, the institutional logic of racial discrimination, liberal traditions and the legacy of the liberal idea of ‘tolerance’, the ways in which fear can be constructed, and varying perspectives on racism.

Non-Place Identity: Britain’s Response to Migration in the Age of Supermodernity

Chapter ten, written by David Ian Hanauer, uses the controversial cultural component of UK ‘citizenship criteria’ – the so-called ‘Britishness test’ – to draw out general themes of migration, territoriality and national identity relative to the nation-state.

Towards a Theory of Structural Discrimination: Cultural, Institutional and Interactional Mechanisms of the ‘European Dilemma’

Tom R. Burns’ ‘Towards a Theory of Structural Discrimination: Cultural, Institutional and Interactional Mechanisms of the ‘European Dilemma’’ draws on a wide range of material in order to interrogate the concepts of structural and institutional discrimination, which the author argues are particularly pertinent concepts when attempting to understand the nature of the discrimination faced by many migrants.

Conclusion: Discrimination as a Modern European Legacy

The conclusion of Identity, Belonging and Migration, written by Masoud Kamali, situates discussions of discrimination, belonging and migration in the context of the structural discrimination that the author suggests is inherent in ostensibly ‘post-colonial’ European nation-states.

Competent vs. Incompetent Students: Polarization and Social Closure in Madrid Schools

Chapter four adopts a discursive analytical approach to reveal the language-based assumption that creates hierarchies in education systems. The author, Luisa Martin Rojo, uses a case study of Madrid schools to support this general argument.

Multiculturalization of Societies: The State and Human Rights Issues

Chapter seven, written by Irène Bellier, addresses the concept of human rights in the context of so-called ‘multicultural societies’, and uses the Roma as an illustrative case study.

Racism, Anti-Racism and the Western State

This chapter, written by Alana Lentin, is the first discussion in the second section of the text, titled ‘Institutional Forms of Discrimination’. It assesses the implications of the adoption of various anti-racist stances by European states in the post World War II context; drawing out a range of issues associated with the paradox of anti-racist states that are maintained and legitimated by nationalist discourse.