European Immigration Policy: A Comparative Study

This book, first published in 1985, presents a comprehensive analysis of immigration policy in Europe. Six representative countries are looked at in detail: Sweden, Holland, Britain, France, West Germany and Switzerland. All have experienced large-scale postwar immigration and exemplify different policy responses: the 'guestworker' system in Germany and Switzerland; policies aiming at permanent settlement in Britain and Sweden; intermediate policies in France and Holland. Britain, France and Holland are also countries where there has been substantial immigration from ex-colonies. The book looks at the size and composition of immigration to each country, its history, the economic and social background to immigration, its regulation and policy measures and their effects on immigrants. The second part of the book provides a comparative analysis of the different immigration policies and the reasons for them; changes in immigration policy; the different forms of regulation and control, housing, education, and social welfare provisions.