Herman Kurthen, Werner Bergmann and Rainer Erb (Eds.), Antisemitism and Xonophobia in Germany after Unification. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. $ 65 hardcover, $ 29.95 papercover

Hirtz, Frank

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The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare Volume 25 Issue 3 September Article 10 September 1998 Review of Antisemitism and Xonophobia in Germany after Unification. Herman Kurthen, Werner Bergmann and Rainer Erb (Eds.). Reviewed by Frank Hirtz, University of California, Davis. Frank Hirtz University of California, Davis Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw  Part of the Social Work Commons Recommended Citation Hirtz, Frank (1998) "Review of Antisemitism and Xonophobia in Germany after Unification. Herman Kurthen, Werner Bergmann and Rainer Erb (Eds.). Reviewed by Frank Hirtz, University of California, Davis.," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 25 : Iss. 3 , Article 10. Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol25/iss3/10 This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Social Work at ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact maira.bundza@wmich.edu. Book ReviewsHerman Kurthen, Werner Bergmann and Rainer Erb (Eds.), An-tisemitism and Xonophobia in Germany after Unification. NewYork: Oxford University Press, 1997. $ 65 hardcover, $ 29.95papercover.This book sets out to describe and explain from a multidis-ciplinary perspective the wave of xenophobic violence, the elec-toral success of far-right parties and the upsurge of aggressiveantisemitic incidents between 1991 and 1994 in Germany. Andthis is exactly what the book provides in its thirteen chapters,broadly subdivided into three areas of concern; namely, generalfacts and findings about antisemitism and xenophobia, a descrip-tion of the groups and organizations promoting antisemitism andxenophobia and the reactions to antisemitism and xenophobiaby the wider populace as well as the groups targeted by hategroups.The different chapters, which are well written and balanced,cover a large field but can also be read alone. They place thedebate within an international context and discuss empirical andmethodological issues. The book also provides a calendar of an-tisemitic and xenophobic incidents between 1989 and 1994, andcontains a very detailed bibliographyA particular strength of the book is its theoretical rigor andwell as its thorough discussion of the political and philosophicalorigins of antisemitism and xenophobia in Germany Althoughthe concepts of antisemitism and xenophobia are closely linked,the book makes an interesting distinction between them pointingout that antisemitic behavior is particularly virulent among hategroups who target Jews partly because their acts are a deliberatereaction against Germany's laws which proscribe antisemitism.While the book suggests that antisemitism is not widespreadamong the German population, it claims that xenophobia is com-mon and that a general dislike of foreigners is widespread. Asthe number of migrants from other countries has increased, at-titudes towards them have hardened. Negative feelings havebeen exacerbated by economic adversity, unemployment and the180 Journal of Sociology & Social Welfareexploitation of popular concerns by the media. These negativeattitudes are not, however, generally directed against Jews.The issues raised in this book are not only interesting andenlightening from an academic point of view but from a publicpolicy point of view as well. There is real danger that unless deci-sive action is taken, hate groups will exert greater influence in thefuture. The book deserves to be widely read. It is a very valuableresource for anyone interested in antisemitic and xenophobia,the resurgence of neo-fascist and other right wing ideologies inGermany.Frank HirtzUniversity of California, DavisJuan E Perea, Immigrants Out: The New Nativism and the Anti-Immigrant Impulse in the United States. New York: New YorkUniversity Press, 1997. $ 19.95 papercover.The debate over U.S. immigration policy is complex, butin essence, it is a debate between the "admissionists" and the"restrictionists." The former want immigration to be increased,or at least kept at its present level. The latter, conversely, wantit reduced. As the debate between these two sides heats up,recent surveys show that a growing number of Americans aresiding with the restrictionists. It is evident, moreover, that theleaders of the restrictionist movement are becoming more vocaland are waging a well-funded and highly-organized campaignto curtail immigration and to make English the nation's officiallanguage.There are indications, too, that the intensification of thiscampaign has coincided with a rise in prejudice and hostilityagainst foreigners. In light of these trends, some admissionistsclaim, the U.S. is experiencing a resurgence of nativism.That is the thesis of this book, a collection of essays edited bya law professor at the University of Florida. An admissionist, heassembled the book to express his dismay over the most salientvictory (to date) of the restrictionist movement: the passage inCalifornia of Proposition 187, which, among other things, seeksto deny many public services to illegal aliens. The editor seesthe arguments behind this proposal, and the other goals of therestrictionists, as reminiscent of the anti-immigrant rhetoric of

Review of \u3cem\u3eAntisemitism and Xonophobia in Germany after Unification.\u3c/em\u3e Herman Kurthen, Werner Bergmann and Rainer Erb (Eds.). Reviewed by Frank Hirtz, University of California, Davis.

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Review of \u3cem\u3eAntisemitism and Xonophobia in Germany after Unification.\u3c/em\u3e Herman Kurthen, Werner Bergmann and Rainer Erb (Eds.). Reviewed by Frank Hirtz, University of California, Davis.

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