Integration in theory and practice: A comparison of France and Britain

Abstract

The authors compare the integration of immigrants in France and Britain in terms of the theoretical models, politics and practice in each country. In France, the tradition of republicanism is emphasised, and thus a legacy of integrating immigrants under this banner is proclaimed; in Britain there is no real analogue to this, and no common myth which is shared across the spectrum of political opinion, though historical conditions have also shaped policy. The political debate in France has centred around the concepts of insertion versus integration, while in Britain debate has revolved around the concept of ‘race relations’. In both countries the practice of integration is threatened by economic dislocation, however, in Britain citizenship and political rights for immigrants have not been challenged and thus are not salient issues as they are in France.