In the last third of the 20th century, acceptance for the idea of Germany as an «immigration country» or «immigration society» was impeded by a fairly abstract political debate on the question of whether or not Germany should be labelled as such. At the same time, Germany was clearly developing into a culturally diversified society. In the last few years, this discrepancy between public perception and political intention has undergone a volte-face. Under the pressure of a rapidly aging society and the call for a strong influx of incomers, the legal position with regard to immigrants now provides for much more latitude than many German citizens find immediately palatable. Cultural and social harmony (peaceability) in Germany as an immigration society depends partly on the degree of success achieved in keeping a rein on the social and mental problems occasioned by progress towards acceptance of immigration as an integral part of society. Strengthening this acceptance is doubly important in view of the high immigration figures that will definitely be required in the future. Those immigrants will be coming here largely from third countries far away from Europe and hence from very different cultures. This causes social and cultural apprehension in the majority of the population, necessitating a great deal of socio-political information, intermediary work and convincement activity. Today, as in the past, politicians have done less than they might in this respect.

Cultural anxiety Immigration country Immigration society Culture of welcome

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