EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Integration policy is becoming more political and less scientific

Integration policy is becoming more political and less scientific

Introduction

In the seventies, academics were directly involved in the development of integration policy; this has, however, no longer been the case in recent years. There seems to be an air of political cynicism regarding research when it comes to social issues. This is Peter Scholten's conclusion in his thesis ‘Constructing immigrant policies’ which he defended on January 18 at the University of Twente. His research does not concern the question of immigration as such, but discusses the relationship between academics and policy makers in the development of integration policy. This relationship has taken on many forms during the last decades. Furthermore, the perspective or 'frame' within which the question of integration is approached has altered repeatedly. It is hard to gauge whether integration policy has been a success or a failure, as actors view integration policy with different expectations and from different points of view.

Proposition

What role has been played by the relationship between research on minorities and policy in the various ways that the integration question has been defined. How can this role be explained?

Description

In his thesis, Peter Scholten discusses four models pertaining to the relationship between research and policy:

the enlightenment model: this model consists of a clear definition of the roles of research and policy. Researchers are expected to speak the truth, which, as a consequence, has its effect on policy.
the bureaucratic model: there is a division between the roles of research (the facts) and policy (values); but the accent is on the political standpoint.
the engineering model: here also politics are dominant. The roles of researchers and politicians are more interwoven.
the technocratic model: here, the accent in the policy making process is on scientific knowledge. Academics are expected not only to speak the truth but to play an active role in policy making as well.

Scholten gives the following definition of 'frame': "A frame is an underlying structure of belief, perception and appreciation that provides a way of selecting, organising, interpreting, and making sense of a complex reality".

Frames are associated with a certain set of expectations. As different actors approach the question from within different frames, it sometimes appears to be a 'dialogue of the deaf'. This is because different frames generate different expectations. From within a particular frame, policy may be viewed as a failure, while from another frame it can be seen as a success. Scholten has discovered five frames from which the question has been reviewed during recent decades:

The multiculturalist frame focuses on the socio-cultural emancipation of ethnic or cultural minorities within a multicultural society.
The assimilationist frame includes the socio-cultural adaptation of migrants in the perspective of the conservation of identity and cohesion in the nation-state.
The universalist frame takes a more socio-economic view of integration. Here, the accent is on the participation of individual migrants as citizens in social institutions.
The differentialist frame stresses cultural and structural differences between groups and involves a more differentiated perspective on society.

The trans- en post-nationalistic frame centres on the cross-border aspects of the citizenship of migrants and the limits that these impose on the role of the nation-state.

Knowledge dissemination

Thesis/dissertation

Conclusions

Recent years have been characterised by an engineering model and an assimilationist frame.
The role of scientific research in current integration debate and policy is more limited than in previous years.
The increase of cynicism regarding research mirrors a shift from the belief in the feasibility of resolving the integration question with the help of scientific knowledge towards an increased recognition of the limited degree to which such social issues can be controlled.
Actors who are involved in the integration debate should be aware of the frame from within which they approach the subject.
It is a task for researchers to clarify these frames and to encourage critical frame reflection amongst policy makers and politicians. This awareness could lead to the debate no longer being a dialogue of the deaf.

Contact info

Universiteit Twente
Drienerlolaan 5
7522 NB Enschede
The Netherlands
Phone: 0031 (0)53 4899111
Fax: 0031 (0) 53 4892000
info@utwente.nl
www.utwente.nl
Peter Scholten (Assistant Professor), tel. 0031 (0) 53 4893258

Publication date

18/01/2008

Project finished

18/01/2008

Researcher

Peter Scholten

Article info
ISBN: 9789036526142

Click here to read the entire dissertation "Constructing Immigrant Policies: research-policy relations and immigrant integration in the Netherlands 1970-2004" (PDF, Eng, 2.06 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Social inclusion & integration

Institutional characteristics
Academic/Research