Europe: A Shift Away from Multiculturalism

Abstract

This paper explores the political connotation of multiculturalism, various approaches to multiculturalism as found in party policy in Europe, and the change in support for multicultural policy since the migration crisis the continent faced largely between 2014 and 2017. This research takes into account the timeline of the European migrant crisis but limits the scope of research to the years from 2014 to 2017 in order to reduce the impact of different migration patterns while still explaining the most recent trends in European attitudes. Differentiations from previous national attitudes toward multicultural policy are analyzed through observations of shifting support for populist party movements which, by definition, work to represent the common views of voters in order to garner their support. This writing looks at four specific cases in order to provide a glimpse into voter trends toward various populist parties. Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Poland are used evaluate how European party platforms and social movements which support multicultural policy have become overshadowed by right-wing, nationalist parties in their attempts to appeal to popular thought. This paper argues the position that, as a result of the influx of Middle Eastern migrants between 2014 and 2017, a shift in European national attitude has occurred. Its effects can be seen throughthe success of these populist partiesin elections held between 2014 and 2017 – years which correspond with the European migrant crisis and the influx of non-European culture.

Keywords: European Migrant Crisis, Multiculturalism - Europe, Populism - Europe, Ideology, Middle Eastern Migration