Strangers

The influx of refugees into Europe causes discomfort with several European countries and its citizens. People are afraid to lose their job. People are afraid of increased crime rates. Strangers are usually considered “different” from the existing population (e.g., behaviour, customs, language, religion, skin colour). In general, people do not trust strangers. Why is that?

Crime studies indicate that crimes are more likely to be committed by non-strangers than strangers, except for robberies – which makes perfect sense. “In 1996, approximately one-third (34%) of all [LO: Canadian] victims of police-reported violent crime were victimized by a stranger. Most violent crimes (60%) involved a perpetrator known to the victim. Robbery is the only violent offence that is typically committed by strangers. In 1996, over eight in ten
robberies (83%) were committed by strangers.” (source). The reason is simple: non-strangers are more likely to have a motive.

The majority of human history must have been very different than our present day societies. Seeing a stranger was then already cause for caution. A stranger may be a spy on a reconnaissance mission. Seeing groups of strangers must have been plenty reason for alarm in those days. An invasion – and thus war – would be forthcoming.

Nowadays, we have (more or less) democratically elected governments that issue laws to which (more or less) its citizens abide, our property rights are (more or less) protected by these laws, and the police investigates crimes and brings perpetrators to a legal system that (more or less) determines guilt and innocence.

However, this rather recent system of separation of powers – or  “trias politica” – does not wipe out 2.5 million years of accumulated distrust towards strangers. Distrust towards strangers is “inside” our DNA and will still be for many centuries to come.

The political solutions for strangers have changed over the last few decades. Until some decades ago, it was usual that strangers flock together in certain neighbourhoods. Several large cities still have the reminders of that (e.g., Chinatown and Little Italy in New York City). In some cities, these neighbourhoods were mostly known for sharply increased crime rates (e.g., banlieues in Paris and Bijlmer in Amsterdam). In recent decades, Amsterdam has been quite successful in reclaiming these potential ghettos to its city. The situation in and around Paris has further deteriorated.

The current political solution is assimilation and integration. In case of small numbers, this solution may actually work. In case of large numbers, a second national language may even evolve (e.g., Spanish in western and southern parts of USA). The real problem with refugees and politics is that refugees are potential voters – and usually for labour parties. Politicians from left and right thus have opposite interests when it comes to solutions for refugees.

Refugees do not care about borders. The planet belongs to humanity. Like warmth flows to cold (see September 8 blog), so do refugees flow to a safe harbour. Arguing that the Middle East should take care of its “own” people, is denying reality when it comes to equality, fraternity, freedom, security and safety. The fact that some Middle East countries give substantial donations is already generous.

There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met. W.B. Yeats, Irish poet, 1865-1939