Immigrational Character of the Spanish Society Cover Image

Imigracyjny charakter społeczeństwa hiszpańskiego
Immigrational Character of the Spanish Society

Author(s): Maja Biernacka
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Instytut Filozofii i Socjologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: immigration; multicultural society; Spain

Summary/Abstract: The article is dedicated to the immigrational character of the Spanish society, with the official numbers of immigrants having already exceeded twelve percent of the total population. The author presents the reversal of the tendency from massive emigration to immigration, phases of the immigrational society, current data on immigration, research on problematization of immigration and attitudes in the society towards immigrants. Immigration has shifted towards the core of public discourse, numerous activities are undertaken in order to facilitate integration of immigrants into the society, accompanied by the symbolic requirement of respecting the customs of both the hosts and the newcomers. The attitude towards immigrants is at the core of legitimacy of political positions, the major actors are expected to declare democratic attitudes and be open to otherness, as well as to initiate actions for the benefit of immigrants. However, researchers also observe antidemocratic attitudes in the society and public life which enhance in the period of economic crisis and unemployment.

  • Issue Year: 202/2011
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 161-191
  • Page Count: 31
  • Language: Polish