Policy Press

Implementing Citizenship, Nationality and Integration Policies

The UK and Belgium in Comparative Perspective

By Djordje Sredanovic

Published

Jan 31, 2022

Page count

174 pages

ISBN

978-1529219883

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jan 31, 2022

Page count

174 pages

ISBN

978-1529219890

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Jan 31, 2022

Page count

174 pages

ISBN

978-1529219890

Dimensions

203 x 127 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Implementing Citizenship, Nationality and Integration Policies

In this incisive analysis, Sredanovic compares and contrasts the experiences of citizenship and integration policies in the UK and Belgium.

In-depth interviews with officials illuminate both the everyday application of approaches to citizenship and integration, and their evolution in recent years. By examining the levels of discretion that exist within the two countries’ systems, this book explores the variations within the implementation processes.

The first comparative work of its kind, this book goes beyond the analysis of legislation to explore how citizenship and integration policies are applied on the frontline.

"In this striking book, Sredanovic sheds new light on the central role played by the implementation processes of citizenship and integration policies. This is a powerful demonstration of how discretion and institutional organization produce variations." Andrea Rea, Université Libre de Bruxelles

"The wealth of empirical material in Sredanovic’s book paints a wonderful picture of the complex implementation of naturalization procedures. It offers a welcome contribution to understanding the workings of discretion in different legal and political contexts." Jelena Džankić, European University Institute

“This distinctive book uncovers how the meaning of integration changes at the point of implementing policy, and tracks how discretion and diverging interpretations of the law can hinder but also help migrants seeking citizenship status.” Anne-Marie Fortier, Lancaster University

Djordje Sredanovic is an FNRS postdoctoral fellow at the Group for Research on Ethnic Relations, Migration and Equality at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

1. Introduction

Citizenship and integration: rights and inequality

Cultural conformity and legal guarantees: citizenship and integration in Europe

Implementation: law in action

Method

Contents of the book

2. Citizenship in the UK

History and policy: discretion and cultural conformity

Nationality Checking Services: citizenship on the territory

Citizenship implementation in the Home Office

Conclusion: cultural conformity, discretion and routinization

3. Nationality in Belgium

History and policy: cultural conformity and the documentary approach

Parquets, registers and the implementation of nationality

Geographic variation

Conclusion: not much discretion, but not much uniformity either

4. Integration in Belgium

History and policy: separate models of integration

CRIs and the implementation of integration in Wallonia

The determination of individual needs

Conclusion: integration, uncertainty and flexibility

5. Comparative Analyses

Migration policies behind the frontline

The spaces of discretion

Factors of variation

Conclusion: how applying the law changes it

6. Conclusions

Political implications

The future of citizenship and integration

Policy recommendations