More French Exceptionalism?

by Cliopatria

[Use Don Adams voice:] Would you believe that French Muslims are among the happiest Muslims in the Western World?

A study by the Pew Research Center suggests that the riots of Fall 2005 don't reflect a failure of the French model of assimilation, nor do they reflect special dissatisfaction among French Muslims for their place in society--at least vis-à-vis other western nations.

Based on poll results, French Muslims 1) have the same concerns of Muslims in other countries, 2) although they are more likely to regard unfavorably the US and the War on Terror, they are more likely to regard them favorably as well, 3) more suspicious of the ascent of anti-Israeli politics (a.k.a. Islamo-Fascism); 4) more likely to feel at home in the West. Here are some charts:

French Muslims appear to be more opinionated, more skeptical, and generally more accepting of the values of their nation than their brethren in other countries. Are French Muslims more French than Muslim? Perhaps, although the conclusion of the pollsters--that "the French need take no integrationist lessons from their European neighbors"--is dubious. French Muslims may feel more French than British Muslims feel British, but the question of how minorities feel about their citizenship and nationality has, in the past, produced highly deceptive results. Those who claim to be true French may have more to say about how integrated French Muslims really are.

[Cross-posted at The Rhine River.]

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Nathanael D. Robinson - 8/30/2006

I was surprised as well, that they would not be united in their criticism of the usual suspects, and the numbers with "pro-American" views are comparable to those with "anti-American" views. This may at least show that they have become accustomed to the modus operandi in the French public sphere, where individuals create sharply-defined opinions and duke it out. There were even editorials in France, at the time of the turmoil, saying that the Muslim youth were doing things "the French way."

Jason Pappas - 8/29/2006

OK, on that serious note let me, as an atheist, also appreciate that one’s loyalty to moral principles comes before loyalty to a people, nation, or state.

Ralph E. Luker - 8/29/2006

Count me a Christian first; an American somewhere long after that.

Jason Pappas - 8/29/2006

Nah, sin away; I understand that the Christians are on a 5 millennia installment plan not a 5 year Soviet plan. ;)

Ralph E. Luker - 8/29/2006

Took all of Jesus's foreknowledge to die for America's sins, didn't it, Mr. P?

Jonathan Dresner - 8/29/2006

I'd like to see two comparison controls on these numbers. For the first chart, in particular, I'd be very curious to see how the X-Muslim view compares or contrasts with the X-non-Muslim view of the same questions; that would clarify considerably the extent to which assimilation has taken place.

I did find it interesting, as you noted, that the French Muslims were considerably less undecided than their coreligionists elsewhere.

Jason Pappas - 8/29/2006

I think the phrase “For God and Country” answers that question.

But you raise a valid issue: a Christian may not see these as two competing issues while a Muslim might. I wonder how many Muslims balked at the question. Given that Islam originated as a political ideology of conquest and subjugation the question may strike many Muslims (Salafists, for example) as the fundamental choice they have to make.

Nathanael D. Robinson - 8/29/2006

The question could, however, be answered one way without supposing any conflict exists between the two, especially if one "sees" Christian values embedded within patriotism. Moreover, it may behoove someone to anwers that they are an "American first" because it isolates them from accusations that their identity promotes factionalism in public life.

Manan Ahmed - 8/29/2006

I want an Identity Trading Board where I can turn in some of my Muslim stocks for American Patriot stock. That would be cool.

Jason T. Kuznicki - 8/29/2006

Suppose there were a poll conducted among American Christians: "Do you consider yourself a Christian first, or are you first a citizen of the United States?"

Would we, on the basis of this question, have reason to mistrust Christians' patriotism? I can hardly believe it, because the question itself is a clear example of the fallacy of the excluded middle. Nowhere do we find what I think most American Christians would say: "The two do not conflict, so the question is meaningless." Might a good number of European Muslims say the same, if they were given the choice?