Immigration to the Western world
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Immigration has had a major influence on the demographics and culture of the Western world. Immigration to the West started happening in significant numbers during the 1960s and afterward, as Europe made its post-war economic recovery and the United States passed the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 allowing non-European immigration.
Immigration to the West has often been related to the West's colonial history; for example, immigration to Britain historically has come largely from former British colonies (often part of the broader Commonwealth) such as the South Asian nations. Wars that Western countries have recently been involved in, and the fallout or flows of refugees associated with them, have also been tied to the inflow of immigration.
Significant debate has taken place around the economic and other benefits associated with immigration (particularly for low-skilled workers), with Western governments often more in favor of immigration than their constituents. Debate has also taken place around both the theory and current state of integration of the immigrants, with some favoring multiculturalism as a solution.
See also
- Immigration to Europe
- Immigration to the United States
- Immigration to Canada
- Immigration to Australia
- Immigration to New Zealand
