Immigration
Knocking on Germany’s Door
There may be a lot of grumbling in parts of Europe about German arrogance in dealing with the euro crisis, but it has not interfered with record numbers of people immigrating to Germany. Last year that number totaled more than a million new immigrants (Statistisches Bundesamt), a wave not seen in over… Read more >
Islam to be Added to German Public School Curriculum in North Rhine-Westphalia
While the prospect of religious education in public schools may confound or upset Americans, it is a common aspect of the German education system. In addition to many other major differences between the U.S. and German public schooling, German schools offer Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish religion courses for students hoping to infuse… Read more >
National ID: Fear Meets Fairness
In a somewhat overlooked decision of the Supreme Court, the key provision of Arizona state’s immigration law is ruled constitutional. Giving rise to calls for and against this “your papers, please” law, this decision reopens a longstanding debate in American politics. Since the country’s founding, Americans have greatly feared the potential tyranny… Read more >
Transatlantic Trends: Consistency Amid Disorder
The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS) has released the results of its 2011 Transatlantic Trends: Immigration survey. Conducted via phone surveys of more than 13,000 European and North American residents (in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), this survey assesses public opinion of immigration… Read more >
Educational Equity for Immigrants in Germany
The German and American public education systems differ substantially. American students who attend public high schools can enroll in classes in a wide range of subjects. Regardless of whether they are high-achieving, academically-driven individuals or students with interests more pertaining to trade-related or vocational careers, students may elect to enroll in courses… Read more >
Constructive Power and Reconciliation: The Importance of German Societal Organizations
The Importance of German Societal Actors The Euro-zone crisis has focused international attention on Germany’s power, depicting the Federal Republic either as selfless savior (constructive power) or as dictatorial demon (dominant power), depending on observers’ nationality and profession. The spotlight has turned mainly on the motivations and maneuverability of Chancellor Angela Merkel… Read more >
Henriette Rytz
| Programs: Foreign & Domestic Policy Program, Society, Culture & Politics Program
Free University of Berlin – 2011
Topic: “Immigrants in Foreign Policy Making in Germany and the U.S.: Two Very Different Struggles to Embrace Diversity”
Asiye Kaya
| Programs: Society, Culture & Politics Program
Asiye Kaya is a social scientist, and is currently a DAAD Visiting Professor at the BMW Center for German and European Studies. Dr Kaya is associated with the Center for Transdisciplinary Gender Studies, Humboldt University Berlin and a non-resident fellow in the program “Society, Culture and Politics” at the American institute for… Read more >
“Ich bin ein Berliner”- The Immigrant vote in the Berlin elections of 2011
In her essay entitled “‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ – The immigrant vote in the Berlin elections of 2011,” current DAAD/AICGS Fellow Henriette Rytz examines the role, or lack thereof, that immigrants play in Berlin’s elections. While the parties may focus on the issue of integration for immigrant voters, this may not be in line with their real concerns as citizens of both Berlin and Germany.
Kommunale Integrationspolitik
Former DAAD/AICGS Fellow Dr. Scott Stock Gissendanner writes that a paradigm shift has occurred in the national framework for local integration policies, resulting in a higher level of policy standardization at the local level. In an essay that was supported by research completed during his stay at AICGS, Dr. Stock Gissendanner argues that as communities try to integrate immigrant populations, the goal is for full integration with permanent residence, a goal which comes from centralized planning at the federal level. This essay originally appeared in the February 14, 2011, edition of Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte and is available in German only.
