In the current era of globalization, nations often have to deal with large waves of immigration. This has led to a lot of debates between nationalists and cosmopolitans about what immigration policy is best for their countries.

This political conflict is often driven by disagreements over whether immigration is in the national interest or whether it should be restricted to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. Instead of trying to reconcile these value differences, governments should focus on enlightened nationalism: selecting immigration policies that benefit their citizens directly and explicitly.

1. National Identity

National identity is often conceived of as a factor that lends structure and stability to citizens’ political opinions on issues like immigration. This is a view that is supported by many research studies, but it also has its limitations.

First, there is the issue of ambiguity in national identities. Moreover, there is the question of whether they should be considered as a single entity or as a set of criteria that can be interpreted differently in different contexts.

Second, there are also the questions of how people define their national membership along both civic and ethno-cultural lines. The empirical part of this article uses data from two autonomist party membership surveys – the SNP and the FNP – to investigate this issue.

The results indicate that defining national membership along both ethno-cultural and civic lines can produce conflicting considerations, which may result in an ambiguity in the way citizens respond to policy proposals and events (Bonikowski and DiMaggio Reference Bonikowski and DiMaggio2016; Kunovich Reference Kunovich2009; Wright, Citrin and Wand Reference Wright, Citrin and Wand2012). This implies that national identities can be more malleable than previously thought.

2. National Sovereignty

Historically, immigration issues have been approached through the lens of national sovereignty.

Typically, national sovereignty means that the government has the unlimited right to determine who can enter and how long they can stay. It also means that the government has the right to remove foreigners if they break the law or threaten national security.

The issue of immigration and national sovereignty is important to many countries, especially those with strong ties to the United States. This is because they often have a democratic form of government that allows all men to participate in government by voting for elected officials, running for office, serving on juries and more.

Sovereignty, which is the full right and power of a governing body over itself, is a core element in our Western understanding of state foundations. However, in an era when local challenges can have global implications, it is worth rethinking our understanding of sovereignty. We need to be careful not to undermine the connection between the cherished experience of nationalism and a sense of social solidarity with other members of our society.

3. Ethnic Identity

Ethnic identity is a commitment to a specific ethnic group based on shared norms and values. This can give people a sense of belonging, purpose and social support.

There are many different ethnic identities around the world. They can be very complex, or simple.

The most important thing to understand is that ethnic identity can be negotiated and changed over time. There are also several factors that can influence a person’s identity, including their place of birth, culture, language and religion.

The impact of ethnic identity on immigration policies can be very strong. As a result, countries can have many disagreements over immigration. These disagreements can range from what should be admitted to how best to integrate new arrivals.

4. Social Cohesion

Social cohesion is the degree of mutual solidarity among people in a society. It is based on the idea that community members should be active in their efforts to reduce inequalities, exclusions, and disparities that exacerbate divisions, distrust, and conflict.

A key determinant of social cohesion is trust. Several studies have found that people in more diverse communities are less trusting of their neighbours than people in more homogeneous communities.

Another factor that influences cohesion is a group’s level of inclusion and participation in the community. These factors include the level of political engagement, volunteerism, and membership in associations.

As a result, it is important that governments work to strengthen social policies and create inclusive and stable environments for all. This will help promote a more cohesive society and ensure that people are welcome in their new home. Governments should also enforce anti-discrimination laws and protect individuals from discrimination based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics.