Ökonomischer Wandel versus kulturelle Identität

Abstract

This essay discusses of the effects of global economic transformation on immigrants in highly industrialized countries. History shows that every economic system needs a suitable cultural pendant if it is to avoid frequent conflict on the level of national politics (repressive system) and even in personal and family relations. The growth of Islamic fundamentalism among the Turkish minority in Germany could be a sign of this kind of pressure for modernization. All immigrant groups in Germany suffer great deficits in education and qualification and are ill-prepared for the needs of economic globalization. The results are unemployment and social tension. Economic success, the most important part of social integration, will become more and more difficult. The author shows that immigrants cannot freeze their traditional cultural background, but have to adapt themselves to the cultural needs of their new home. The ethnic economy will not provide an alternative, because keeping a high standard of living like in Germany means much more than „merely” avoiding unemployment. The international competition is the measure.