Overview

This book discusses the ways civil society initiatives open communities to newcomers and why, how, and under what circumstances some are more welcoming than others, exploring the importance of transgressive cosmopolitanism as a basis for creating more inclusive and pluralistic societies. The question of how to live together in increasingly multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multireligious societies is a pressing political and policy issue, particularly as we witness a rise in right-wing populism and anti-immigrant sentiments. This book addresses the limitations of approaches that seek to secure borders, preventing the arrival of newcomers altogether, or that vacillate between assimilation and multiculturalism. The authors explore the concept of cosmopolitanism and its utility, by theorizing from real-world examples, including Germany’s Welcome Culture and Denmark’s Kind Citizens movements and other smaller-scale initiatives, such as arts and museum projects, kitchen hubs, and shared living accommodation. Interdisciplinary in nature and bringing conceptual discussions together with everyday examples, this book focuses on forms of activity generally left out of wider debates around protest and social movement literature. It emphasizes different types of activities undertaken by civil society groups, who do not necessarily self-identify as political, but whose activities can counter right-wing populism. This dialogue between concepts and everyday politics makes the volume a very useful companion to classroom discussion and will facilitate its own exchange between scholars, activists, and practitioners.

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9780367191702

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Feyzi Baban is a professor of Political Studies and International Development at Trent University, Peterborough, Canada. His research focuses on cosmopolitan theory, the politics of citizenship in late modern societies, and alternative forms of modernity in non-Western cultures. His recent publications include a co-edited book with K. Rygiel, titled Fostering Pluralism through Solidarity Activism in Europe: Everyday Encounters with Newcomers (2020). He is also the co-author (with K. Rygiel and S. Ilcan) of The Precarious Lives of Syrians: Migration, Citizenship, and Temporary Protection in Turkey (2021). His work is published in several edited book collections and in journals such as Global Society, European Journal of Social Theory, Citizenship Studies, and Studies of Political Economy. Kim Rygiel is a professor in the Department of Political Science and the School of International Policy and Governance, Balsillie School of International Affairs, at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. She is Co-Director of Laurier’s International Migration Research Centre and Co-Chief Editor of the journal Citizenship Studies. Her research focuses on critical migration, citizenship, and border politics, including migrant and refugee-led social movements and solidarity struggles for migrant rights within North America and Europe. She is the author of Globalizing Citizenship (2010) and co-author (with F. Baban and S. Ilcan) of The Precarious Lives of Syrians: Migration, Citizenship, and Temporary Protection in Turkey (2021). Edited books include Fostering Pluralism through Solidarity Activism in Europe: Everyday Encounters with Newcomers (with F. Baban, 2020); and Citizenship, Migrant Activism and the Politics of Movement (with P. Nyers, 2012). Her work is published in journals such as American Quarterly, Critical Sociology, Citizenship Studies, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, and Ethics and Global Politics.

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