Mabel Berezin, a Cornell University sociologist whose current work focuses on contemporary sites of social, political and cultural change, believes that calling for European unity in the face of the migration crisis is the wrong approach.

Berezin says:

“EU President Jean-Claude Juncker’s concrete solution to the migration problem is a better distribution of refugees across EU countries. But where might those refugee- friendly countries be? Angela Merkel has welcomed refugees to Germany – but has she forgotten Greece and the Pegida rallies of last spring and summer, as well as the burning of migrant camp? Can more be far behind?

“Sweden wants to restrict its generous refugee policies. France is waffling and Marine Le Pen gains in public opinion polls daily.

“The collective European mood is national, not European. In the face of the horrific humanitarian crisis that the refugees represent, it would be wise for the EU to recognize that fact and come up with viable solutions that citizens of member states will accept. Pontificating about quickly fading collective ideals of imagined European unity will not serve the refugees and they do not accord with realities on the ground. The refugees deserve more, and the EU is not doing it with this lecture.”

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