Social, Political And Environmental Tensions EQ3 Flashcards
What was migration like in the uk in the 20,00s?
•1945 Onwards – 500,000 Caribbean migrants arrived to rebuild UK industries after WWII. Many were pushed by Caribbean poverty and pulled by UK job opportunities (e.g., Windrush Generation).
•1960s – 1 million Indians and Pakistanis migrated for work in manufacturing and textiles. Cheaper transport and relaxed immigration laws encouraged movement.
•1970s – 30,000 Ugandan Asians and 20,000 Vietnamese refugees fled persecution and settled in the UK, many from former British colonies.
What was migration like in the uk in the 21st century?
2004 – EU expansion allowed workers from Poland, Romania, and Eastern Europe to migrate for jobs, boosting the UK workforce.
2016 – Brexit referendum led to stricter border policies, reducing EU migration and reshaping UK immigration rules.
Explain the distribution of the foreign born population in the uk:
-London has the highest foreign-born population, with over 3.5 million residents born outside the UK and The most common foreign-born groups come from India, Pakistan, and Poland
Explanation
-London attracts migrants due to job opportunities, higher wages, and being a global hub.
-Industrial cities (e.g., Birmingham, Manchester) also have large migrant populations, as workers moved for factory jobs in the past.
-Rural and northern areas have fewer foreign-born residents due to fewer job opportunities and less economic development.
What processes have given rise to the creation of diasporas?
•Open borders - EU citizens are free to move around the EU as a right
•Financial deregulation - freedom to invest without barriers
•FDI - TNCs investing globally and creating jobs.
Where is the Indian/Bangladeshi diaspora in London and why is it thriving?
Where is the diaspora?
Concentrated in Brick Lane, located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Why is the diaspora thriving?
-Post-World War II labor shortages led to significant migration from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) to the UK.
-Migrants established businesses, particularly in the restaurant industry, contributing to economic growth.
Evidence of success
-At its peak in the mid-2000s, Brick Lane, known as “Banglatown,” hosted around 60 Bangladeshi or Pakistani-owned curry restaurants and cafés.
-Notable political representation includes figures like Rushanara Ali, the first person of Bangladeshi origin elected to the UK Parliament.
Where are the Polish diasporas in London and why are they thriving?
Where is the diaspora?
-Significant Polish communities are found in Ealing, Hammersmith, and Wembley
Why is the diaspora thriving?
-Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004 facilitated increased migration to the UK.
-Migrants were attracted by better employment opportunities and wages.
Evidence of success
-As of June 2020, an estimated 127,000 Polish nationals resided in London.
-Polish-owned businesses, including shops and cultural centers, have become integral to local economies
Where are the British diasporas in Spain?
Where is the diaspora?
-Predominantly located in regions such as the Costa del Sol, Alicante, and the Balearic Islands
Why is the diaspora thriving?
-The appeal of a warmer climate, a lower cost of living, and a relaxed lifestyle has attracted many British expatriates.
-Retirees often relocate to these areas, benefiting from favorable living conditions
Evidence of success
-British-run businesses, including pubs and shops, are prevalent in these regions.
-Local economies have experienced growth due to British investment in property and tourism.
What impacts of globalisation have caused tesion?
-Immigration (where some people dispute the right of others to move freely) e.g. this has caused the rise in populist extremism in Europe
-Distribution of resources such as water e.g. this has caused transboundary water conflicts like with the Mekong River
What are populist extremist groups (PEPs)?
-parties that oppose immigration and diversity and threaten democracy
-they emerged after 9/11 and recent financial crisis
What is meant by the “Rise of Populist Extremist Groups”?
-Populist extremist groups are gaining influence across Europe, including the UK.
-These groups typically oppose immigration, multiculturalism, and globalisation, promoting nationalism and stricter border controls.
-Some examples include Far-right parties like UKIP (UK Independence Party), which pushed for Brexit, and the English Defence League (EDL), known for anti-immigration protests.
What is meant by left wing politics?
-Left-wing politics refers to progressive and egalitarian political ideologies
-Left-wing parties focus on promoting economic and social equality through higher taxation on the wealthy, strong public services, and welfare programs. They advocate for free healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits, believing that government support helps create a fairer society.
-Examples in the UK include the Labour Party and Green Party, which support workers’ rights, higher public spending, protections for ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ rights, and stronger regulations on big businesses to serve public interests.
What is meant by right wing politics?
-Right wing politics refers to conservative and free-market political ideologies.
-Right-wing parties focus more on individual responsibility, economic freedom, and lower government intervention. They support lower taxes, private enterprise, and reduced welfare spending, believing that people should pay for their own healthcare, education, and social services rather than rely on the state.
-Examples in the UK include the Conservative (Tory) Party and UKIP, which advocate for lower taxes, stricter immigration policies, free-market capitalism, and limited government regulation.
Why Are Populist Groups Gaining Support?
1)Economic Insecurity – Many voters feel their jobs and wages are threatened by globalisation and immigration. E.g. Brexit supporters argued that leaving the EU would reduce foreign competition for UK jobs.
2)Loss of National Identity – Some fear the UK is losing its cultural heritage due to increased diversity e.g. London’s diverse population contrasts with more traditional rural areas.
3)Voter Dissatisfaction – Many feel mainstream politicians fail to address public concerns about immigration and crime.
4)Media Influence – UK tabloid newspapers often promote negative narratives about immigration, fuelling public resentment.
E.g., The Sun and The Daily Mail frequently link immigration to crime and economic strain.
Who are the typical supporters of PEPs?
Rallied support from economically secure and educated areas of Europe. Increasing numbers of manual workers supporting the far right who would have traditionally supported the left.
• Typically ‘losers’ of globalisation-Many working-class individuals and small business owners feel left behind by globalisation, as jobs have moved overseas or wages have stagnated.
• Economically insecure lower middle-class citizens and skilled and unskilled manual workers- Many blue-collar workers fear that migrants take jobs or drive wages down, creating resentment towards immigration policies.
How did Brexit influence the rise of populism?
•Brexit was heavily influenced by populist rhetoric, with UKIP leading the campaign to leave the EU.
-Key arguments included: Taking back control of UK borders and reducing immigration and Ending EU control over UK laws and promoting national sovereignty.
What was the Charlie Hebdo attack and how did it give rise to far right populist extremist groups ?
-In January 2015 two Islamist gunmen attacked the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine in Paris, killing 12 people and injuring 11 others
-After the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack in France (2015), there was a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment.
-25% of French voters supported the far-right National Front Party, showing increasing nationalist views.
-Similar trends occurred in the UK, where far-right groups gained followers after terrorist attacks.
What are Transboundary water conflicts?
Transboundary water conflicts occur when two or more countries share a water source and compete for its use
Why is there a transboundary water conflict occurring due to the Mekong River?
-The Mekong River is a major river in Southeast Asia, flowing through China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
-Since the 1990s, multiple dams have been built, causing disputes over water access.
Why were the dams built along the Mekong River?
-Rising demand for electricity in Southeast Asian countries.
-Growth in urbanisation and industrialisation increases water and energy needs.
-Foreign direct investment (FDI), especially from China, funds major dam projects.
-Renewable energy push encourages hydropower, despite environmental concerns.
What are the social impacts of the dams being built along the Mekong?
-Electricity access has improved bringing economic growth and modernisation to rural areas (reliable electricity improves services and boosts industry) but at the cost of displacing thousands of local communities leading to long-term poverty, as resettled populations struggle to find new employment opportunities.
-Up to 60 million people rely on the Mekong for food and water, but damming the river disrupts traditional fishing and farming livelihoods.
What are the economic impacts of the dams being built along the Mekong?
-Agricultural productivity declines downstream, especially in Vietnam, where reduced river flow affects rice production and export markets
-Hydropower generation boosts national economies, particularly in China, Laos, and Thailand, allowing them to sell electricity.
What are the environmental impacts of the dams being built along the Mekong?
-Water flow disruption causes droughts and floods—Laos and Cambodia suffer from irregular rainfall, damaging crops and water supplies
-Sediment flow is blocked by dams, leading to coastal erosion and making the riverbanks more vulnerable to flooding.
How do perspectives on the Mekong River dams differ?
-Governments: China and Laos strongly support dam development, viewing hydropower as a key driver of economic growth, energy security, and revenue generation e.g. China has built over 11 major dams on the upper Mekong (Lancang River), controlling much of the river’s flow
-NGOs: Oppose dam projects due to concerns about biodiversity loss, ecosystem destruction, and human displacement e.g. the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that damming the Mekong threatens endangered species like the Irrawaddy dolphin and giant catfish & advocate for alternatives like solar power instead of hydropower
How have the Mekong River damns caused increased conflict?
-China and Laos control most of the dams, giving them power over water distribution, while Thailand and Vietnam demand fairer water-sharing agreements
-Vietnam relies on the Mekong Delta for agriculture—40% of its population depends on its fertile soils and water supply. Reduced water flow threatens food security and livelihoods
What are the advantages of the open boarder policy between Belgium and the Netherlands?
-Encourages free movement of people and goods, strengthening trade, tourism, and cultural exchange e.g. cross-border commuters benefit from easier travel, with over 35,000 Belgian residents working in the Netherlands
-Residents benefit from different national policies, allowing them to save money by shopping or using services across the border e.g. Dutch residents often cross into Belgium to buy cheaper fuel, while Belgians purchase electronics in the Netherlands due to lower VAT rates
What are some successes of cultural diffusion in the uk?
The emergence of new cultures formed by ethnic minorities mean locations create their own new identities, strengthening cultural diversity e.g. Leicester’s Golden Mile is known for its South Asian businesses, attracting visitors and boosting tourism.
-Many UK residents have resided on the Mediterranean coastline due to free movement allowed by the EU.
»Improves quality of life – Retirees and remote workers benefit from a warmer climate, lower living costs, and better lifestyle opportunities e.g. Spain has over 370,000 British expats
What are some concerns of cultural diffusion in the uk?
-recent tensions in Europe have also occurred e.g. in France 2015, staff of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were killed by gunmen Algerian descent claiming that their Islamic faith had been mocked
-There are sometimes concerns that migrants have increased the crude birth rate beyond the capacity the area’s primary schools e.g. In areas with high migration, such as parts of London, primary schools have struggled to accommodate rising student numbers, leading to larger class sizes and increased pressure on teachers.
