“Parallel Societies” and a Turn Towards Soft Assimilation

Abstract

The article presents an overview of theoretical discussions about the content and formats for the use of the term “parallel societies” in social and humanitarian discourses and political debates on immigration. Based on the previous immigration studies (of the Chicago sociological school, T. Meyer in Germany, etc.), a number of authors point out negative connotations associated with this term due to phobias of Islamic radicalism. Other researchers propose to abandon the term "parallel society". They insist on the hollowness of this concept, which just reflects the fears of a certain part of European society. However, the majority of specialists pay attention to the ambiguous nature of segregation as the basis for the development of “parallel societies”, acting for immigrants as a protection mechanism against discrimination and facilitates their integration. Furthermore, the researchers provide empirical evidence of a link between the deterioration of social and economic conditions and the growth of anti-immigrant sentiment. The study highlights the paradoxical conclusion that immigrant communities with a strong influence of religion lack public “parallel” structures that represented their interests in the majority society. Meanwhile the states do not have the appropriate tools to establish a dialogue with religious immigrant organizations and to oppose the promotion of their life style. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the growing tendency to abandon the strategy of multiculturalism and return to a soft variant of assimilation and integration.