Stuck between mainstreaming and localism: views on the practice of migrant integration in a devolved policy framework

In this paper, we explore views on the implementation of migrant integration ‘policy’ in a setting characterised by devolution, using data collected among local and national policy stakeholders in the UK. More specifically, we focus on localism and mainstreaming, which have recently dominated policy debates and endeavours about integration. Our findings shed new light on the challenges and opportunities of these strategies as they are perceived and experienced by policy stakeholders. In particular, we reflect on the important interplay between different levels of governance and the tensions that arise out of these in a devolved context. Our evidence suggests that the shift from centralised to localised policy action is faced with several challenges. First of all, there is a contradiction between the localism agenda, with the devolution of powers and responsibilities, and the context of austerity. Secondly, there are frictions between levels of governance in the devolved UK context, and particularly on how the implementation of integration at the local level is affected by non-devolved policies. Finally, with regard to mainstreaming the need for a more flexible policy approach that recognises and embraces the complexity and dynamism of the integration process is emphasised

Disruptive Norms:assessing the impact of ethnic minority immigration on non-immigrant voter turnout using a complex model

This article explores whether introducing an external group into a population with different characteristics to the existing population may lead to behavioral change. Specifically, we test whether introducing ethnic minority immigrants with varying levels of civic duty (commitment to voting) norms into a previously homogenous nonimmigrant ethnic majority population influences voter turnout among the nonimmigrant majority group. The findings have been produced using a complex agent-based model (“the voter model”) where the parameters and characteristics have been developed through the extensive synthesis of existing findings from real-world social science research on voter turnout. The model adopts the KIDS (“Keep It Descriptive Stupid”) approach to this form of modeling complex systems. The model puts a particular emphasis on exploring the dynamic social aspects that influence turnout by focusing on the role of networks and spatial composition factors such as ethnic diversity and levels of internal and external immigration. It uses an approach based on aggregative neighborhood dynamics to go beyond existing static models of the influence of social norms on voting similar to the classic approach of Schelling. The main findings from this article suggest that, other factors being equal, increased levels of immigration lead to a small but significant increase in turnout among the nonimmigrant population and show that higher levels of civic duty among immigrants lead to higher levels of turnout among nonimmigrants over time. This challenges the popular belief that increased immigration and diversity in a specific community will always lead to lower turnout levels

Simulation Models of Ethnocentrism and Diversity: An Introduction to the Special Issue

© The Author(s) 2019. The theme and key ideas behind the special issue are discussed, in particular the terms: “ethnocentrism” and “diversity.” It picks out three very influential simulation models in this area, pointing out that these are at the abstract end of the simulation spectrum, thus not strongly related to any data and overinterpreted by many subsequent readers. It also briefly discusses four themes that emerged in an associated workshop. Finally, the four papers in the special issue are outlined, and this concludes with a plea for research which (a) makes greater use of social science data, (b) is more open minded about the assumptions made, and (c) is more cautious as to the interpretation of simulations

A network agent-based model of ethnocentrism and intergroup cooperation

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