Immigration and Perceptions of National Political Systems in Europe

Immigration has become one of the most pressing political issues of the modern day, and public opinion polls indicate that it has been of public concern for some time. This book analyses the impact of immigration on perceptions of national political systems in Europe and contends that public concern about immigration is undermining trust in national political institutions and elites, as well as satisfaction with the way democracy is working.

Immigration and Perceptions of National Political Systems in Europe contends that immigration presents more substantial challenges to some national identity constructions, and that while national identity in general can help to bolster support for national political systems, those who emphasize lengthy ties to the country are likely to be less positive about their national political systems, particularly when these allow for relatively easy immigrant incorporation.

This book also includes an analysis of the impact of concern about immigration on the British political system, and shows that while concern about immigration appears to have been fairly high since the 1960s, it is only in since 1997 that such concern has come to translate into negative perceptions of the British political system.

Lauren McLaren is Professor of Comparative Politics and Head of Politics at the University of Glasgow. She has written on the topics of public attitudes to immigration, political trust, as well as public attitudes to European integration and to Turkey's European Union membership. Her other research interests include politics in Southern Europe, including Turkey. She has written two research monographs and has also published her research in journals such asWorld Politics, Journal of Politics, British Journal of Political Science,European Union Politics, European Journal of Political Research , andSocial Forces.