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Views: Integration; immigration
Aug. 27th, 2017 10:36 amFollowing the elections in recent times I thought it a good time to summarize my own politics. I do not pretend that everything is thought-through and defensible; I freely admit that what follows includes much instinctive leaning. I thus do not suggest that others should think as I. Expressing my opinions here explicitly leaves them usefully open to constructive disagreement (or helping you decide not to read after all).
On the topic of disagreement, there is so much of it that many of us must be very wrong for at least some of the time. Especially, when referencing kinds of people in political judgments I think it important to engage with them: it is far better to mix with people than to make confident assertions about those one does not even know. Exposure to sincerely held contrary views also helps to hone one's critical thinking skills.
Encouraging engagement with others has policy implications. I do not ( want different communities to live and go to school separately. )
Integration neatly segues to immigration. Whether via a points-based system or otherwise I generally think the immigration of skilled workers ( to be good both financially and culturally. )
On the other hand, while I favor permissive immigration rules, my welcome quickly wanes when those rules are violated. When people ( break the rules then they ought not express surprise at the consequences. )
As for people being able to follow their own culture and religion, I largely do not care what they do in private or within view of others but ( not everybody thinks as they: ) finding one's place in society involves compromise on both sides.
I recognize that there is some tension between my respect of citizenship and immigration boundaries and my generally welcoming foreign people and cultures. This is likely to come up again when I summarize my thoughts on other topics and may reveal inconsistent thinking. However, the above is already quite enough for one journal entry.
On the topic of disagreement, there is so much of it that many of us must be very wrong for at least some of the time. Especially, when referencing kinds of people in political judgments I think it important to engage with them: it is far better to mix with people than to make confident assertions about those one does not even know. Exposure to sincerely held contrary views also helps to hone one's critical thinking skills.
Encouraging engagement with others has policy implications. I do not ( want different communities to live and go to school separately. )
Integration neatly segues to immigration. Whether via a points-based system or otherwise I generally think the immigration of skilled workers ( to be good both financially and culturally. )
On the other hand, while I favor permissive immigration rules, my welcome quickly wanes when those rules are violated. When people ( break the rules then they ought not express surprise at the consequences. )
As for people being able to follow their own culture and religion, I largely do not care what they do in private or within view of others but ( not everybody thinks as they: ) finding one's place in society involves compromise on both sides.
I recognize that there is some tension between my respect of citizenship and immigration boundaries and my generally welcoming foreign people and cultures. This is likely to come up again when I summarize my thoughts on other topics and may reveal inconsistent thinking. However, the above is already quite enough for one journal entry.
