Research Article
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Politicization of Migration Policies in the Visegrad Group’s Member States: A Means of Creating External Enemies of the Political system?

Year 2023, Volume: 32 Issue: 1, 57 - 73, 08.04.2023
https://doi.org/10.26650/siyasal.2023.32.11213865

Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to examine whether the process of politicization of migration policies in the member states of the Visegrad Group is used to create the image of external enemies of these societies. The main assumption is that the leaders of the V4 states intentionally politicize migration issues and use them to achieve internal objectives. The official migration strategies of these states conform to generally accepted norms. Yet, the narrative of executive bodies fosters the ‘we-they’ division and the negative image of immigrants. Migrants are shown as external enemies and a source of potential threats to state security. The main theoretical contribution of the article is the original typology of creating the image of migrants as enemies of the state. The empirical contribution, in turn, is based on an in-depth analysis of a selected case, a group of V4 countries that so far have not been compared in terms of the dominant arguments serving to create the image of migrants as enemies of the state. The main research hypothesis is as follows: the politicization of migration issues in the V4 countries serves to create specific types of images of external enemies and is used instrumentally to achieve objectives in domestic politics.

Supporting Institution

the National Science Centre, Poland

Project Number

Grant 2018/31/B/HS5/01410

References

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  • Lauwers, N. (2021) ‘The Politicization of the Migration–Development Nexus: Parliamentary Discourse on the European Union Trust Fund on Migration,’ Journal of Common Market Studies, 59(1), 72-90.
  • Majority of Poles oppose the admission of migrants from Polish-Belarusian border (2021). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/majority-poles-oppose-admission-migrants-polish-belarusian-border_en (19.06.2022).
  • Majority of Poles support state of emergency on Belarus border (2021). Notes from Poland. https://notesfrompoland.com/2021/09/09/majority-of-poles-support-state-of-emergency-on-belarus-border/ (18.06.2022).
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  • Migration in Slovakia (2022). International Organization for Migration, https://www.iom.sk/en/migration/migration-in-slovakia.html#:~:text=Today%20the%20foreigners%20make%20up,means%20an%20increase%20of%2011.7%25 (20.06.2022).
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  • Polish PM rejects EU ‘blackmail’ on migrant quotas (2017). Euractiv. https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/polish-pm-rejects-eu-blackmail-on-migrant-quotas/ (20.06.2022).
  • Samuels, W.J. (1980) ‘Two Concepts of Politicization,’ Social Science, 55, pp. 67-70.
  • Simon, B.; Grabow, O. (2010) ‘The Politicization of Migrants: Further Evidence that Politicized Collective Identity is a Dual Identity,’ Political Psychology, 31(5), pp. 717-738.
  • Situation of foreigners, migration and integration in the Czech Republic (2020). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/situation-foreigners-migration-and-integration-czech-republic-2020_en (20.06.2022).
  • Skrzypek, M. (2022), ‘Czech Republic: Towards quasi-militant democracy?’ in Bäcker, R.; Rak, J. (eds). Neo-militant democracies in post-communist member states of the European Union. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Slovakia: Parliamentary elections (2020). Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). https://www.csis.org/programs/european-election-watch/slovakia (28.06.2022).
  • Slovakia adopts new migration policy (2021). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/slovakia-adopts-new-migration-policy_en (20.06.2022).
  • Slovakia’s populist opposition wins parliamentary election (2020). The Times of Israel, https://www.timesofisrael.com/slovakias-populist-opposition-wins-parliamentary-election/ (25.06.2022).
  • Steuer, M. & Kovanic, M. (2022), ‘Militarisation of democracy in Slovakia’ in Bäcker, R.; Rak, J. (eds). Neo-militant democracies in post-communist member states of the European Union. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Temizisler, S. (2022) ‘Politicisation of migration issues during the refugee crisis in the UK and Denmark,’ Journal of Contemporary European Studies, DOI: 10.1080/14782804.2022.2031133.
  • The safety of Poland comes first – state of emergency near the border with Belarus (2021). The Chancellery of the Prime Minister. https://www.gov.pl/web/primeminister/the-safety-of-poland-comes-first--state-of-emergency-near-the-border-with-belarus (20.06.2022).
  • Wintour, P. (2018). Migrants to Europe 'need to go home', says Czech prime minister, “The Guardian,” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/25/europe-migrants-need-to-go-home-says-czech-prime-minister (22.06.2022).
  • Viktor Orban's most controversial migration comments (2018). Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/viktor-orbans-most-controversial-migration-comments/g-42086054 (21.06.2022).
  • Viner, K. (2015). Czech president: migrants should be fighting Isis, not 'invading' Europe. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/27/czech-president-migrants-should-be-fighting-isis-not-invading-europe (22.06.2022).
  • Zogata-Kusz, A. (2012). Theoretical perspectives on immigration policy and politics. Contemporary European Studies, 1(1), 5-21.
  • Zürn, M. (2019). Politicization compared: at national, European, and global levels. Journal of European Public Policy, 26(7), 977-995.
Year 2023, Volume: 32 Issue: 1, 57 - 73, 08.04.2023
https://doi.org/10.26650/siyasal.2023.32.11213865

Abstract

Project Number

Grant 2018/31/B/HS5/01410

References

  • An anti-corruption campaigner triumphs in Slovakia (2020). The Economist. https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/03/05/an-anti-corruption-campaigner-triumphs-in-slovakia (25.06.2022).
  • Anguko, A. (2019), ‘Process tracing as a methodology for evaluating small sample size interventions’, eVALUation matters, 2(2), 18-27.
  • Bäcker, R.; Rak, J. (2022), ‘Poland: Drift towards quasi-militant democracy in defiance of resistance’ in
  • Bäcker, R.; Rak, J. (eds). Neo-militant democracies in post-communist member states of the European Union. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Central Europe takes stand against illegal immigration (2021). Visegrad Post. https://visegradpost.com/en/2021/09/10/central-europe-takes-stand-against-illegal-immigration/ (22.06.2022).
  • Cienski, J. (2016). Poland slams door on refugees. Politico. https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-slams-door-on-refugees-beata-szydlo/ (20.06.2022).
  • Country report: Hungary (2021). Hungarian Helsinki Committee. https://asylumineurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AIDA-HU_2021update.pdf (20.06.2022).
  • Czech Government’s Migration Policy Principles (2022). Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/the-czech-government-s-migration-policy-principles.aspx (6.06.2022).
  • Czech PM says ‘no place’ for Afghan refugees in Europe (2021). Euractiv. https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/czech-pm-says-no-place-for-afghan-refugees-in-europe/ (22.06.2022).
  • Czech Republic rejects UN migration pact (2018). Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/czech-republic-rejects-un-migration-pact/a-46286574 (22.06.2022).
  • D’Amato, G.; Ruedin, D.; van der Brug, W.; Berhout, J. (eds) (2015). The Politicisation of Migration. Abingdon/New York: Routledge.
  • Drinóczi, T.; Mészáros, G. (2022), ‘Hungary: An abusive neo-militant democracy’ in Bäcker, R.; Rak, J. (eds). Neo-militant democracies in post-communist member states of the European Union. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Gabrizova, Z. (2016). Slovak PM: ‘It’s impossible to integrate Muslims.’ Euractiv. https://www.euractiv.com/section/central-europe/news/slovak-pm-it-s-impossible-to-integrate-muslims/ (22.06.2022).
  • Governance of migrant integration in Hungary (2022). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/country-governance/governance-migrant-integration-hungary_en (20.06.2022).
  • Governance of migrant integration in Poland (2022). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/country-governance/governance-migrant-integration-poland_en (20.06.2022).
  • Hungary asylum restrictions broke European law, says top EU legal adviser (2021). France 24. https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210226-hungary-asylum-restrictions-broke-european-law-says-top-eu-legal-adviser (21.06.2022).
  • Hungary: Population, demographic situation, languages and religion (2021). European Commission. https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/population-demographic-situation-languages-and-religions-35_en (20.06.2022).
  • Hungary’s migration strategy (2014). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/hungarys-migration-strategy_en (20.06.2022).
  • Hungary’s Orban proposes to ban migrants for two years (2021). InfoMigrants. https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/32900/hungarys-orban-proposes-to-ban-migrants-for-two-years (21.06.2021).
  • Hungary to defy EU court ruling over migration policy, Orban says (2021). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hungary-defy-eu-court-ruling-over-migration-policy-orban-says-2021-12-21/ (21.06.2022).
  • Hutter, S. (2021) ‘Politicising immigration in times of crisis,,’ Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 48(2), pp. 341-365.
  • Jurečková, A. (2020). Czechs and migration: Solidarity lost in transformation. Heinrich Böll Stiftung. https://cz.boell.org/en/2020/10/12/czechs-and-migration-why-cant-we-get-any-solidarity (22.06.2022).
  • Lauwers, N. (2021) ‘The Politicization of the Migration–Development Nexus: Parliamentary Discourse on the European Union Trust Fund on Migration,’ Journal of Common Market Studies, 59(1), 72-90.
  • Majority of Poles oppose the admission of migrants from Polish-Belarusian border (2021). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/majority-poles-oppose-admission-migrants-polish-belarusian-border_en (19.06.2022).
  • Majority of Poles support state of emergency on Belarus border (2021). Notes from Poland. https://notesfrompoland.com/2021/09/09/majority-of-poles-support-state-of-emergency-on-belarus-border/ (18.06.2022).
  • Meyers, E. (2004). ‘A Theory of Immigration Policy.’. In: Meyers, E. (ed.). International Immigration Policy: A Theoretical and Comparative Analysis. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Migrants should be returned to their home countries, Czech PM says (2020). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-visegrad-czech-idUSKCN26F1SQ (22.06.2022).
  • Migration in Slovakia (2022). International Organization for Migration, https://www.iom.sk/en/migration/migration-in-slovakia.html#:~:text=Today%20the%20foreigners%20make%20up,means%20an%20increase%20of%2011.7%25 (20.06.2022).
  • Muller, R. (2021). Seeking re-election, Czech PM pledges to keep migrants, Brussels at bay. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/seeking-re-election-czech-pm-pledges-keep-migrants-brussels-bay-2021-09-02/ (22.06.2022).
  • Poland says border crisis 'greatest' bid to destabilize Europe since Cold War (2021). VOA. https://www.voanews.com/a/poland-says-border-crisis-greatest-bid-to-destabilize-europe-since-cold-war/6321788.html (20.06.2022).
  • Poland unveils results of 2021 census (2022). Radio Poland. https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7789/Artykul/2964668,Poland-unveils-results-of-2021-census (20.06.2022).
  • Polish PM rejects EU ‘blackmail’ on migrant quotas (2017). Euractiv. https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/polish-pm-rejects-eu-blackmail-on-migrant-quotas/ (20.06.2022).
  • Samuels, W.J. (1980) ‘Two Concepts of Politicization,’ Social Science, 55, pp. 67-70.
  • Simon, B.; Grabow, O. (2010) ‘The Politicization of Migrants: Further Evidence that Politicized Collective Identity is a Dual Identity,’ Political Psychology, 31(5), pp. 717-738.
  • Situation of foreigners, migration and integration in the Czech Republic (2020). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/situation-foreigners-migration-and-integration-czech-republic-2020_en (20.06.2022).
  • Skrzypek, M. (2022), ‘Czech Republic: Towards quasi-militant democracy?’ in Bäcker, R.; Rak, J. (eds). Neo-militant democracies in post-communist member states of the European Union. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Slovakia: Parliamentary elections (2020). Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). https://www.csis.org/programs/european-election-watch/slovakia (28.06.2022).
  • Slovakia adopts new migration policy (2021). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/slovakia-adopts-new-migration-policy_en (20.06.2022).
  • Slovakia’s populist opposition wins parliamentary election (2020). The Times of Israel, https://www.timesofisrael.com/slovakias-populist-opposition-wins-parliamentary-election/ (25.06.2022).
  • Steuer, M. & Kovanic, M. (2022), ‘Militarisation of democracy in Slovakia’ in Bäcker, R.; Rak, J. (eds). Neo-militant democracies in post-communist member states of the European Union. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Temizisler, S. (2022) ‘Politicisation of migration issues during the refugee crisis in the UK and Denmark,’ Journal of Contemporary European Studies, DOI: 10.1080/14782804.2022.2031133.
  • The safety of Poland comes first – state of emergency near the border with Belarus (2021). The Chancellery of the Prime Minister. https://www.gov.pl/web/primeminister/the-safety-of-poland-comes-first--state-of-emergency-near-the-border-with-belarus (20.06.2022).
  • Wintour, P. (2018). Migrants to Europe 'need to go home', says Czech prime minister, “The Guardian,” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/25/europe-migrants-need-to-go-home-says-czech-prime-minister (22.06.2022).
  • Viktor Orban's most controversial migration comments (2018). Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/viktor-orbans-most-controversial-migration-comments/g-42086054 (21.06.2022).
  • Viner, K. (2015). Czech president: migrants should be fighting Isis, not 'invading' Europe. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/27/czech-president-migrants-should-be-fighting-isis-not-invading-europe (22.06.2022).
  • Zogata-Kusz, A. (2012). Theoretical perspectives on immigration policy and politics. Contemporary European Studies, 1(1), 5-21.
  • Zürn, M. (2019). Politicization compared: at national, European, and global levels. Journal of European Public Policy, 26(7), 977-995.
There are 47 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Political Science
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Przemyslaw Osiewicz 0000-0001-6883-7307

Project Number Grant 2018/31/B/HS5/01410
Publication Date April 8, 2023
Submission Date December 2, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 32 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Osiewicz, P. (2023). Politicization of Migration Policies in the Visegrad Group’s Member States: A Means of Creating External Enemies of the Political system?. Siyasal: Journal of Political Sciences, 32(1), 57-73. https://doi.org/10.26650/siyasal.2023.32.11213865