Citizens and Refugees: Stories from Afghanistan and Syria to Germany (Routledge Studies in Modern History)

By: Joachim C. Häberlen

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Synopsis: Following the stories of two dozen refugees from Syria and Afghanistan in 2015, Citizens and Refugees argues that we need to include the histories of these countries, notably the Syrian Revolution, into narratives of the refugee crisis. The book thus challenges a framing of the crisis that usually begins only with the moment of people fleeing. The stories it tells show refugees as citizens with a political voice engaged in struggles for participation and democracy, rather than as people in need of rescuing and integrating into new societies. It equally examines the much-celebrated German welcoming culture of 2015, arguing that it silenced political voices of those fleeing to Germany. Based on personal stories and the author’s intimate knowledge of the German welcoming culture, Citizens and Refugees intervenes into political debates about the viability of democracy. Overall, the importance of this volume stems from its suggestion that we would do well to listen to the voice of those coming to Europe as refugees. Based on both personal stories and historical analysis, Citizens and Refugees is the ideal resource for upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars interested in migration studies and the history of Europe and the Middle East.

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