two - Community cohesion in Bradford: neoliberal integrationism

Summary

Introduction

Following a series of urban disorders in northern towns and cities in England in 2001, the New Labour government embarked upon a community cohesion agenda that has significantly shifted the terrain of race relations policy and thought. While gaining popular cross-party political support (see for example Oaten, 2005; BBC, 2007a; Cameron, 2007, p 31; Johnston, 2007, p 2), the aims and rationales of this agenda have been subjected to considerable criticism from anti-racist campaigners (see in particular Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, 2002; Fekete, 2004; Sivanandan, 2006; Kundnani, 2007a).

As Sivanandan (2007, pp 48–9) has argued, the community cohesion agenda – consolidated through a concerted attack on the (assumed) values of multiculturalism – has marked a shift towards an assimilatory framework of race relations policy making. This, in turn, has embedded what Kundnani (2007b, pp 26–31) calls a ‘rise of integrationism’ whereby a set of British core values are in the process of being both defined and rewritten. In this context, a climate of hostility towards Muslims, in particular, but diversity in general has been fostered through a perception that certain people are potentially threatening to national security, stability and identity. Consequently, the integrationism that Kundnani (2007b) speaks of sets out to garner a form of national homogenisation through which an emerging set of boundaries mark out acceptable and unacceptable forms of difference.

This chapter seeks to follow this analysis of the community cohesion agenda as a concrete framework of integrationism. In doing so, it will explore the manner in which the core values that are said to be necessary for cohesion to exist portend a shifting relationship between the citizen and the state. A redefining and championing of ‘Britishness’ serves to act as a banner around which citizens – and indeed would-be citizens – are expected to adhere and, as such, provides an indication of the form of community cohesion that is desired by those who champion the ongoing attack on multiculturalism. However, by analysing this form of community cohesion that is being consolidated, this chapter will further consider the way in which a neoliberal conception of citizenship is being crafted through the community cohesion agenda.

In grounding its analysis in the discussion of integrationism earlier, this chapter will explore the implementation of community cohesion policies in the Metropolitan District of Bradford in West Yorkshire.