The Adjustment of the British "Restriction-Integration" Immigration Policy in the 70s of the 20th Century
In the 70s of the 20th century, the political and social context of the United Kingdom had a profound impact on its immigration policy. During this period, the UK was facing a series of domestic and international challenges that largely shaped immigration policy at the time.
Recession and industrial change: The British economy in the 70s was in poor shape. Since the late 60s, the UK has experienced a severe economic recession. British industry was undergoing major changes during this period, with many traditional industries such as textiles and coal beginning to decline, leading to rising unemployment. This economic recession and transformation of the industrial structure led to a reassessment of the labor market, which in turn influenced the formulation of immigration policy.
Political upheaval and policy change: British politics has undergone significant changes during this period. There are significant differences in views on immigration policy between political parties, which is reflected in the policy adjustments made during their respective administrations.
The change in political leadership has brought about a reconsideration of immigration policy, particularly in dealing with race relations and social integration.
Tensions in race relations: Britain in the 70s of the 20th century also witnessed tensions in race relations. As the number of immigrants from the former colonies increased, racial discrimination and social exclusion became more pronounced. This tension in race relations has prompted the government to reconsider its immigration policy, particularly with regard to how to promote ethnic integration and social harmony.
International Context and Impact: The international situation, particularly the process of decolonization, has also had an impact on the UK's immigration policy. With the independence of the former colonial countries, the flow of immigrants from these countries to the UK prompted the British government to adjust its immigration policy to adapt to the new international environment.
Changes in public attitudes: Public attitudes towards immigrants also changed during this period. The economic recession and social unrest have led to a negative perception of immigration by some members of the public, who are seen as one of the causes of employment and social problems. This public sentiment, in turn, has had an impact on the government's immigration policy.
In the 70s of the 20th century, the political and social background of the United Kingdom was complex and changeable, which not only affected the content and direction of immigration policy, but also reflected the challenges and dilemmas of the era. It is in this context that the "restriction-integration" policy came into being, which has been adjusted with the changes of the times.
The origin and implementation of the "restriction-integration" policy was a key turning point in British immigration policy in the 70s of the 20th century. This policy reflected the British government's efforts to find a balance between controlling the number of immigrants and promoting social integration.
Origin of the policy:
In the early 70s of the 20th century, Britain began to re-examine its immigration policy in the face of large numbers of immigrants from its former colonies and other countries.
At a time when the UK government is increasingly concerned about the impact of immigration on the domestic labour market, social services and community stability.
Racial tensions and public concerns about the growth of immigration have prompted the government to adopt stricter control measures. At the same time, in order to promote social harmony and integration, the government has also begun to focus on how to help immigrants better integrate into British society.
Implementation of the "Restriction" policy:
The "restrictions" section is mainly through legislative and administrative measures to reduce the number of new immigrants.
Measures include introducing stricter entry checks, restricting family reunification, and setting quotas for work permits.
These measures aim to reduce the influx of new migrants, while having an indirect impact on groups of migrants already in the UK.
Implementation of the "Convergence" Policy:
The "Integration" section focuses on increasing mutual understanding and acceptance between the diaspora community and British society.
Policies include the provision of language education, cultural exchange activities, and support for immigrant communities.
Laws and policies against racial discrimination, such as the introduction of the Race Relations Act, aimed at protecting minorities from discrimination, were also highlighted.
Policy limitations and challenges:
While this policy aims to balance control and integration, it faces a number of challenges in its implementation.
The controls have been criticised as being too draconian and damaging the UK's international image, while having a negative impact on the diaspora already in the UK.
Although integration policies have been effective, they often lack sufficient resources and support in practice, which limits their effectiveness.
Overall, the "restriction-integration" policy is an attempt by the UK government to address the twin goals of controlling the number of migrants and promoting social integration in the face of increasingly complex migration issues. However, the implementation of this policy has encountered many challenges that reflect the difficult balance between control and integration.
