Suchergebnisse

Incorporating Muslim Migrants in the West: The French Model of IntegrationThe Muslim emigration to France is connected with many social, religious and political problems. The worshippers of Islam were admitted to settle, but not to integrate with French society and the national economy. Although, according to the French scheme of integration, all people are equal before the law and it is unlawful to emphasise differences, life in France does not reflect the Republican idea any more, and instead of creating the French nation as one community, a multicultural society unable to assimilate newcomers is being born.There are numerous stereotypes in French society that push aside Algerians and Moroccans, especially those living in the suburbs, and put them in conflict with the French legal system. This approach should change and the French must cease perceiving Muslims as strangers and realise they are lawful citizens, an inseparable part of their everyday life. The successive generations of Muslim immigrants should no longer be pushed to the margins of social life because of their ethnic origin, name, religion, and culture.The violent riots in France in 2005 and 2007, however, were caused not only by cultural conflict but also by the recession of the French economy. The main problem in the French suburbs is the high level of unemployment (40%) caused by the numerous meanders of the immigration policy. Instead of facilitating employment for immigrants, the government demands special professional training even for jobs which do not require such qualifications.

Nation and Ethnic ConflictReview of: Małgorzata Budyta-Budzyńska, Socjologia narodu i konfliktów etnicznych [The Sociology of Nation and Ethnic Conflict], Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN 2010. Naród i konflikt etnicznyRecenzja: Małgorzata Budyta-Budzyńska, Socjologia narodu i konfliktów etnicznych, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN 2010.

Immigrant Rights vs Expulsions of the Roma People in France in Light of the European Union's ReactionThe article first presents how immigration policies determine the norms which European Union countries apply in their law towards immigrants. Next the author deals with the Roma as a national minority living in France, where it is not yet recognised as equal to other national or ethnic communities. Even though Romany people are protected by law, their legal status is unstable due to their cultural dissimilarity. Numerous dilemmas arise, thus making it difficult to accept any official recognition of the Roma as a supranational or national minority.Relations between France and the European Union have deteriorated since the incident connected with the Roma deportations in 2010. There have been many accusations aimed at the French authorities, and also a threat of bringing proceedings against France before the Court of Justice. The EU strongly condemned France and its immigration policy. This, however, did not change French attitudes towards the Roma. The reaction of the EU did not result in a sudden change in French legislation which aims at preventing an influx of immigrants. In addition, France has introduced special acts to protect the country from a return influx of the Roma minority. The Directive on the free movement of citizens between EU countries has not been fully enforced in France. In the ensuing situation, the ratification of this document will occur in 2011.

Sebastian Wojciechowski, Terroryzm na początku XXI wieku. Pojęcie, istota i przyczyny zjawiska, Oficyna Wydawnicza Branta, Bydgoszcz–Poznań 2011, ss. 302.

The topic is organized in such a way as to allow the circumstances of the establishment of UNESCO, its legal foundations, and the expansion of its activities over the years to be presented. The presentation of successive conventions that have been passed demonstrates how UNESCO's scope of interests has been expanding to keep up with the changing world. In the analysis of successive activities and programs conducted under the auspices of UNESCO, and the attempts taken to counter the threats for the preservation of cultural and natural assets, the significance of the organization in the area of the protection of world heritage is assessed.

The paper emphasizes that outer space has become an object of interest for different states relatively recently. Therefore, there is no detailed international law to regulate the activity of states in outer space. Current regulations were mainly drawn up at the turn of the 1960s, and they do not fully correspond to the reality of today. The drawing up of modern space law will be a dynamic process owing to the rapid evolution of space technology and an increasing exploration potential. As the activity of states in outer space is rapidly changing, laws to be drawn up may frequently be prepared ad hoc, in response to the newly emerging problems. It may be exceptionally difficult to enact a new convention to regulate general issues of outer space, in the way it has been done with respect to the law of the sea, as some countries (in particular the United States) may oppose the limitation of their plans to explore and utilize outer space. In order to maintain peace and balance, it may be necessary to establish a new international organization for the purpose of dealing with outer space. This organization would provide a forum to solve disputes, such as those concerning the development of satellite systems, the principles of teledetection, or armaments in space. A considerable portion of inter-state disputes concerning outer space will have to be solved by bilateral agreements, reached through a compromise, as there are no specialized organs authorized to act in the realm of outer space. A dynamically conducted exploration of outer space depends on the amount of expenditure allocated to the space programs of individual states. The amount of financing available is influenced by the economy (at the time of the slowdown that began in 2008 space agencies have had to envisage limited budgets). The prestige of space exploration is an aspect of particular importance. In order to increase its importance in the international arena, states are ready to allocate considerable means for spectacular space activities. It can be observed at present that states are increasingly competing with each other for prestige rather than for strategic purposes. This can easily be observed with respect to the developing countries, such as China and India. The pace of activities in space will be influenced by the ability of the states to cooperate. The specific nature of great space investments usually requires huge expenditure, therefore it would be advantageous to combine the financial contributions of various states. Joint projects would promote peaceful utilization of outer space.

Społeczne dylematy Europy, pod red. Doroty Gizickiej, Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek, Toruń 2009, ss. 291.

The situation of Muslim immigrants in certain West European countriesThe article argues that the significant mobility of Muslim minorities in France, Germany and the United Kingdom resulted from an increasing need to improve the economic life of immigrants, family reunification, and the possibility of getting permanent residence through marriage with permanent residents of the mentioned countries. The situation of Muslim immigrants in the host country is regulated by individual state and European union law. Each country establishes its own laws concerning social and religious life and the possibility of obtaining citizenship. Muslim populations acquire legal status and uphold the law of the host country, often defending themselves against ill-treatment by referring to abuses in criminal cases.The integration of Muslim immigrants with Europeans has numerous difficulties as a result of cultural and religious differences. Immigrants tend to live in their own tight grouping, often isolating themselves from the society of the host country. The Muslim community will exceed 20% of population over the next 40 years. Europe will become a continent with a significant Muslim minority. This will contribute not only to major demographic changes but also cultural, economic, political and social ones in Europe in the future.

Sources of international terrorism vs. the world of Islam in EuropeThe article argues that general views regarding the matters of cultural globalization do not apply as far as Muslim countries are concerned. The dichotomy between the two worlds does not allow for an inter-cultural dialogue. This blockage could be stopped by specific modernization of history by Muslim societies and the way of thinking of the Islamic communities.The essence of the defensive nature of both the European and Muslim cultural identities can be applied to war against terrorism. Both cultures are currently undergoing a search phase. The positive attitude of the intercultural community towards other cultures and the changes brought about by the process of globalization are extremely important in this process which can lead to the cooperation and development of the comprehensive culture. Due to a deeply rooted unwillingness to collaborate, a multicultural community is impossible to originate.Terrorism does not result from fanatics' misinterpretations of the role of religion and in fact is stimulated by global processes. The attempt to build truly civil societies in countries that readily accept immigrants along with all the freedoms that go along with them, as well as ensuring complete involvement in social and political life should be regarded as a specific point of reference in the prevention of the formation of Muslim fundamentalist organizations.

Sources of international terrorism vs. the world of Islam in EuropeThe article argues that general views regarding the matters of cultural globalization do not apply as far as Muslim countries are concerned. The dichotomy between the two worlds does not allow for an inter-cultural dialogue. This blockage could be stopped by specific modernization of history by Muslim societies and the way of thinking of the Islamic communities.The essence of the defensive nature of both the European and Muslim cultural identities can be applied to war against terrorism. Both cultures are currently undergoing a search phase. The positive attitude of the intercultural community towards other cultures and the changes brought about by the process of globalization are extremely important in this process which can lead to the cooperation and development of the comprehensive culture. Due to a deeply rooted unwillingness to collaborate, a multicultural community is impossible to originate.Terrorism does not result from fanatics' misinterpretations of the role of religion and in fact is stimulated by global processes. The attempt to build truly civil societies in countries that readily accept immigrants along with all the freedoms that go along with them, as well as ensuring complete involvement in social and political life should be regarded as a specific point of reference in the prevention of the formation of Muslim fundamentalist organizations.