Europe is Old, Not Racist
by Gala Chausson
Last week, the European Parliament voted for a law allowing the incarceration of illegal immigrants for 18 months in the confines of the harmonization of immigration policies in the EU. This measure that so straightforwardly shows a lack of respect and value of the human, I, to my surprise, feel the need to defend or, better said, to put it into context of the EU's realities. My reaction does surprise me as I have always been such a fervent detractor of capitalism and elitism, but I am coming to realize that on reviewing my position on immigration, it didn't fit my 'idealistic' ideas. I believe that these anti-immigration measures are just a bandage that hide the true problems all over the world, and that they are completely useless in the long run if not accompanied by the solving of the problems that lead people to immigrate, but Europe does need them to a certain extent, and it doesn't make Europe more racist than anyone else.
Europe needs these measures perhaps more than any other country because of its social background. The countries in the EU developed in a framework where the government intervenes with the organization of the society, the social and economic network. This system was built at a time when Europe was more subject to emigration than immigration, when its population was established and stable. Unlike the United States, which was built and grew through immigration, Europe has had to adapt its system to it. Whether it is social or job security, the net in Europe is pretty tight and it insures protection and a minimum level of dignity to most of the population. But an organized society is much less flexible; the number of people it can support is limited. Yet I believe it is very important to preserve that organized society, at least as an example of social organization, something that rises above the "law of the jungle" that develops with globalization.
The problem with the European socialist system today is that it is obsolete and hard to combine with today's global context. Even though it is one of the major actors of globalization, it was not built to cope with modern globalization. The free flow of everything compromises organization and control. Though an intrinsic part of the European culture, socialism is less able to sustain the idea of a social net, of social links and of the pragmatic conservative ideas which are the fastest and often the most superfluous ways to resolve an immediate problem. The left in Europe, even though it might represent best the ideas of the population, has a hard time making a transition towards the pragmatism that will make their ideas fit within a globalized world.
Now, it might seem that Europe is evolving towards a more capitalist, elitist system, placing itself on an unattainable pedestal. It might be the objective of some ambitious, over-excited people, I won't cite names, that long for power, but I believe that no matter what, the mode of functioning for Europeans, somewhat close to human values, will always prevail, confront, and be critical of ideas held by even the strongest powers. We have done so for much less. These capitalist policies aren't let in easily by the population, and can't prevail within a population too used to their right of being treated as humans.
The EU proved to be open, tolerant and welcoming since the moment it was created and kept expanding, embracing more and more cultures and integrating them, making them a whole part of the organization with the same rights. When it welcomes individuals and countries within its borders, the EU actually engages itself in taking care of them, supporting their development, wherever they come from. This does require some strength.
The measure voted on last week is certainly extreme and somehow despicable in the way it manages the problem, but it reflects on a willingness to take control over a situation. That's it. And I believe it may actually make integration easier, facilitate the enlargement of the EU, maybe someday across the Mediterranean (Turkey might soon make its entry), and keep its basis of human rights. I deeply believe in the fruits that growth and development have to benefit all but I don't think immigration is the solution. This has nothing to do with racism.
