I propose a research project which combines theoretical and methodological approaches to research, integrating qualitative data to build a stronger understanding of why politicians break their promises on migration. The gap between rhetoric and reality in immigration policy have been explained through three theoretical lenses; political economy, liberal, and globalisation approaches (Freeman: 2006, Joppke: 2000, Sassen: 2000). While institutional approaches provide the relevant …show more content…
Cornelius examines the factors which drive politicians toughen talk on immigration policy, while remaining powerless to change the outcomes of it. They explain that there is a gap, but they do not explain why. There are three broad theoretical approaches to explain the gap between rhetoric and reality in immigration policy. The political economic approach is exemplified by Freeman and Zolberg, who argue that politics and economics are deeply intertwined in driving the migration process. This will eventually lead migrants to eventually become a political interest group (Zolberg: 1998). Yet, this privileges the influence of the economy, and international credit over migration policy, with the effect of undermining the political and institutional dimension of markets, including the industrial, agricultural, and labour …show more content…
The current migrant crisis has led to the largest inflows of people since WWII has placed ‘the fundamental principles of [Europe’s] social security [and] legal system … under threat’ (Europa: 2015). While there is growing anti-immigration sentiment in Germany and France (Boswell: 2000), I will illustrate in the following how right wing groups are limited in their efficacy implementing radical right wing reform due to local, state and international pressures. Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel recently stated ‘if Europe fails on the question of refugees, its close connection with universal civil rights will be destroyed’, thus, they ‘must share the responsibility for refugees seeking asylum’ (Al Jazeera: 2015). While Germany claimed they would ignore the Dublin protocol (that asylum seekers must apply for registration in the first country they settle) and admit 800,000 people (Elzas: 2014). French President Francois Hollande has been accused of ‘marginalizing the political right’, announcing that France would accept 24,000 people over the next two years (Elzas: 2015) satisfying liberal interest groups and European