Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in Switzerland
At least three traditions in sociological thought address the question of social inclusion. In the systems theory proposed by Luhmann, inclusion means that individuals are able to adapt and gain access to functional subsystems, such as the labor market or the welfare state. In the tradition of Simme...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cogitatio
2016-04-01
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| Series: | Social Inclusion |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/499 |
| _version_ | 1811342989824360448 |
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| author | Michael Nollert Amir Sheikhzadegan |
| author_facet | Michael Nollert Amir Sheikhzadegan |
| author_sort | Michael Nollert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | At least three traditions in sociological thought address the question of social inclusion. In the systems theory proposed by Luhmann, inclusion means that individuals are able to adapt and gain access to functional subsystems, such as the labor market or the welfare state. In the tradition of Simmel, social inclusion is seen as an outcome of “cross-cutting social circles”. Both perspectives are addressed in Lockwood’s distinction between social integration and system integration. Building on these theoretical traditions, the study proposes a typology of migrant integration in which inclusion requires a realization of both social and system integration. Against this theoretical background, the paper deals with the question of which kind of integration the Swiss Muslims strive for through civic engagement. Drawing on narrative autobiographical interviews, the study reveals two main tendencies among the studied Muslims. While some seek an opportunity to engage with people of other worldviews through civic engagement (social integration), others limit their civic engagement only to those religious communities that cultivate a strong collective Muslim identity, and reduce their contact with non-Muslims to a peaceful co-existence (system integration). The study also shows that these two attitudes are associated with two views on outgroup tolerance. While the advocates of social integration are for liberal tolerance, the supporters of system integration show tendency towards multicultural tolerance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:21:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cd85339bb0b54f42b06dd81358028ea3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2183-2803 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T19:21:45Z |
| publishDate | 2016-04-01 |
| publisher | Cogitatio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Inclusion |
| spelling | doaj.art-cd85339bb0b54f42b06dd81358028ea32022-12-22T02:33:31ZengCogitatioSocial Inclusion2183-28032016-04-01429510610.17645/si.v4i2.499284Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in SwitzerlandMichael Nollert0Amir Sheikhzadegan1Department of Social Sciences, University of Fribourg, SwitzerlandDepartment of Social Sciences, University of Fribourg, SwitzerlandAt least three traditions in sociological thought address the question of social inclusion. In the systems theory proposed by Luhmann, inclusion means that individuals are able to adapt and gain access to functional subsystems, such as the labor market or the welfare state. In the tradition of Simmel, social inclusion is seen as an outcome of “cross-cutting social circles”. Both perspectives are addressed in Lockwood’s distinction between social integration and system integration. Building on these theoretical traditions, the study proposes a typology of migrant integration in which inclusion requires a realization of both social and system integration. Against this theoretical background, the paper deals with the question of which kind of integration the Swiss Muslims strive for through civic engagement. Drawing on narrative autobiographical interviews, the study reveals two main tendencies among the studied Muslims. While some seek an opportunity to engage with people of other worldviews through civic engagement (social integration), others limit their civic engagement only to those religious communities that cultivate a strong collective Muslim identity, and reduce their contact with non-Muslims to a peaceful co-existence (system integration). The study also shows that these two attitudes are associated with two views on outgroup tolerance. While the advocates of social integration are for liberal tolerance, the supporters of system integration show tendency towards multicultural tolerance.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/499coexistenceinclusionMuslimsparticipationsegregationsocial integrationSwitzerlandsystemic integrationvoluntary associations |
| spellingShingle | Michael Nollert Amir Sheikhzadegan Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in Switzerland Social Inclusion coexistence inclusion Muslims participation segregation social integration Switzerland systemic integration voluntary associations |
| title | Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in Switzerland |
| title_full | Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in Switzerland |
| title_fullStr | Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in Switzerland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in Switzerland |
| title_short | Participation and Sharing, or Peaceful Co-Existence? Visions of Integration among Muslims in Switzerland |
| title_sort | participation and sharing or peaceful co existence visions of integration among muslims in switzerland |
| topic | coexistence inclusion Muslims participation segregation social integration Switzerland systemic integration voluntary associations |
| url | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/499 |
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