Social and Economic Hierarchies Across Immigrant Populations in Metropolitan France

Abstract

This thesis focuses on various immigrant populations and their distinct trends of settlement in France, over time, and by generation. My research question asks how French immigrant populations compare to one another in the eye of “native”, non-ethnic French citizens, and if this creates social and economic hierarchies between these immigrant groups. Among these immigrant populations, I largely focus on immigrants coming from the Maghreb region (North Africa) because of France’s colonial history in that area. This thesis seeks to define how well these immigrants from the Maghreb, in addition to non-European immigrant populations in general, can integrate socially and economically into French society compared to their European immigrant counterparts. I hypothesize that French integration benefits immigrants from European Union (EU) countries over those from North Africa. I also hypothesize that the levels of integration in France are representative of its colonial history, and that this determines which populations are defined as assimilable. My predictions are challenged since there is no single solution to solving these social and economic issues in disenfranchised communities, especially since North African and non-EU immigrant populations continue to suffer from prejudice and social stratification today. There are large gaps in levels of educational attainment where North African youth are less likely to go on to higher education, compared to “native” French youth, and youth in immigrant families who come from the EU. These obstacles in education also directly relate to higher levels of unemployment or low-skilled jobs within the North African community. Even still, my predictions acknowledge the root of these issues and varying methods by which they can be resolved through political action and reformed notions of what diversity means in a secular state. By adopting national standards that acknowledge ethnic differences, and putting social programs in place to improve communities such as those largely populated with people of North African descent, marginalized communities within France can gain greater access to equitable citizenship.