Sophia C. reviewed on 10/14/2011 + 289 more book reviews

Reflections on the revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam, and the West was a challenging book for me to read. It took a lot of effort to keep in mind that author Christopher Caldwell considers himself "instinctively pro-immigration" based his analysis of how mass immigration has shaped post-war Europe. Caldwell is essentially saying that based on overestimation of its long-term need for immigrant labor, European countries opened a Pandora's box through which masses of Muslim immigrants were allowed in. Instead of assimilating, they hold on to their own culture and values and demand Europe adopt to them, while Europe's enforcement of secularism, tolerance, and equality have weakened the natives' will and ability to deal with newcomers. Caldwell is articulate and anticipates many objections to his argument, which ultimately takes after Samuel Huntington's 'clash of civilizations' thesis and rightly or wrongly, lumps Muslim immigrants together as a confident, demanding group playing the natives. However, I found interesting his suggestion that the position of Muslims in Europe is analogous to America's race problem. Wow.

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