Failure of Multiculturalism? Immigration, Radical Islamism, and Identity Politics in Europe

Authors

Fatos Tarifa
Monica Di Monte

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of how Europe’s ethnic and cultural mix is changing drastically by the large numbers of culturally diverse, especially Muslim immigrants, as well as problems that Western European governments face today as they try to deal with unintended consequences of their liberal policies of multiculturalism. In light of this discussion, radical Islamism and identity politics are seen as long-term challenges for all liberal democracies. We argue that extremist voices among the right-wing populist parties in many Western European countries opposed to immigration and increasingly mobilized around the issue of Muslim minorities, may spur resentment and political activism among Muslim immigrant communities, which can turn very violent. We conclude that for the time being, the best realistic scenario is that Islamic radicalism in Europe will continue on a lower level of intensity, but it will not disappear and it may aggravate existing tensions in the future.

Recommended Citation

Tarifa, Fatos and Di Monte, Monica (2016) "Failure of Multiculturalism? Immigration, Radical Islamism, and Identity Politics in Europe," International Dialogue: Vol. 6, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32873/uno.dc.ID.6.1.1117
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/id-journal/vol6/iss1/3