REACTIONS TOWARD THE NEW MINORITIES OF WESTERN-EUROPE

Millions of ex-colonials, ''guest workers,'' refugees, and other immig rants have settled in western Europe during recent decades. Extensive research on this phenomenon broadens sociology's understanding of inte rgroup relations in industrial societies. Unlike African Americans, th ese new Europeans are often viewed as not ''belonging,'' and gaining c itizenship can be difficult. The chapter discusses four major reaction s to the new minorities: prejudice, discrimination, political oppositi on, and violence. Both blatant and subtle forms of prejudice predict a nti-immigrant attitudes. And between 1988 and 1991, a hardening took p lace in these attitudes. Similarly, direct and indirect discrimination against the new minorities is pervasive. Moreover, antidiscrimination efforts have been largely ineffective. Far-right, anti-immigration po litical parties have formed to exploit this situation. These openly ra cist parties have succeeded in shifting the political spectrum on the issue to the right. In addition, violence against third-world immigran ts has increased in recent years, especially in nations such as Britai n and Germany where far-right parties are weakest. The chapter conclud es that these phenomena are remarkably consistent across western Europ e. Furthermore, the European research on these topics supports and ext ends North American research in intergroup relations.