The Refugee Crisis In The United States

Over the past five years, the refugee crisis has increased as a result of events like the Syrian Civil War. Different states have attempted to combat the crisis in differing ways. These states have attempted to cooperate over the refugee crisis, however, this has not always been successful. The theories of Liberalism and Realism both provide reasons as to why states have responded as they have, to the refugee crisis. However, Realism clearly outlines why there has been an increase in nationalism and states aversion to refugees as flows have increased. States believe that refugees pose a risk to the sovereignty of a nation and so many are unwilling to let large numbers of refugees into their country. Firstly, this essay will examine the European …show more content…
More so than Liberalism, Realism explains the increases in nationalism which have occurred over current years and the conflict over refugees. Post-9/11, anti-Muslim sentiment was evident throughout the United States of America. As it had been radicalised Muslims who ultimately attacked the World Trade Centre, the people in America wanted to ensure that Muslims would not attack again. This conflict over religious views has been present throughout American history. Nathan Lean (2012, pg. 26) states that anti-Catholic sentiment was great in the largely Protestant America. This occurred in a way that is similar to today. Immigrants coming into the country brought with them their cultures and this lead to conflict as it was believed that they were harming the country. With the refugees today largely coming from the Arab World, Islamophobia is occurring worldwide. This Islamophobia is key to a rise in nationalism in the United States. Lean (2012, pg. 38) goes on to explain that 9/11 “crystallized a suspected link between Islam and violence.” This belief that supporters of Islam are violent individuals explains why President Trump put in place a “Muslim” ban on people coming into America from countries with predominantly Muslim people. This relates to realism as realism believes that all countries are solely self-interested. The effect of this is that links between countries are not very strong. Countries will always look to benefit their own people over those of other countries and this clearly explains why the United States and Britain have been so against the idea of bringing refugees into their countries. The fear of harm coming to their own people blinds countries from the benefits which would likely come from bringing skilled refugees into their country. In the end, Realism more than Liberalism outlines the current