Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.31337/oz.79.3.7
Pros and Cons of Immigration to Croatia: A Critical Analysis of Prevailing Attitudes
Tado Jurić
orcid.org/0000-0003-4634-686X
; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This paper analyses the immigration debate in Europe and highlights the most common arguments for and against immigration. Proponents emphasize the necessity and benefits thereof by arguing that migration is a constant aspect of human nature. On the other hand, opponents stress that 1. there occurs a suppression of wages, 2. immigration from third countries brings higher fiscal costs than benefits, 3. changes occur in national and religious demographics, and 4. there is a decrease in community trust and a weakening of the national state. Most arguments coming from either side demonstrate selectivity and cannot hold up to scientific criticism. While both proponents and opponents present viable arguments, their discussion usually ends by their attaching labels to each other and fails to reach the necessary compromise on these sensitive topics —especially in view of the fact that, according to the Gallup Poll, approximately 400 million people worldwide are willing to migrate to Europe. The most common consequence of immigration is the formation of ethnic communities and pluralisation of society, which affect the social, political, cultural, and ethnic dimensions of life. Croatia is just beginning to face this challenge. Hence, this paper serves as an introductory debate on this very complex subject and aims to stimulate further discussion. This is surely to become a key topic around which the polarisation of Croatian society can be expected to occur in the coming decades.
Keywords
immigration; migration; illegal migration; integration; migration policies
Hrčak ID:
318400
URI
Publication date:
2.7.2024.
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