Question

62 POINTS Why are some citizens and leaders reluctant to take in refugees from predominantly Muslim countries? IN writing.

Answer 1

As hundreds of Germans held up "Welcome
Refugees" signs last weekend, much of Europe
watched in bewilderment. "Germany is the only
country that is welcoming us,
" said Alalie, a 37.
year-old from Damascus, Syria, and one of the
thousands of refugees who arrived at the main
train station in Munich.
Nearly all of the refugees had come from
Hungary
- a country with restrictive
immigration policies and where many said the
authorities had treated them inhumanely. But
why are there such deep divides within
Europe? Why do some countries welcome
refugees, while others do everything they can
to keep them out? The reasons are many, but
one stands out: demographics. In Germany, for
instance, a rapidly aging population is
becoming increasingly aware of the need to
welcome foreigners. Other countries, where
the aging trend is much less severe, have fewer
incentives to welcome newcomers.
A closer look at the following maps, which
compare demographic trends across Europe
between 2001 and 2011, helps explain some of
the reasons Europe is so divided on how to
deal with refugees. The maps not only offer
explanations: They also show which nations
might be missing out on an opportunity for
future growth. Empathy and the country's A closer look at the following maps, which
compare demographic trends across Europe
between 2001 and 2011, helps explain some of
the reasons Europe is so divided on how to
deal with refugees. The maps not only offer
explanations: They also show which nations
might be missing out on an opportunity for
future growth. Empathy and the country's
Nazi-past
which turned Europe into a
battlefield and later forced many Germans
themselves to flee the war -
might explain the
country's enthusiasm for helping today's
refugees. But there is another factor that few
would openly acknowledge right away:
Germany really needs them. "What we're
experiencing right now is something that will
occupy and change our country in the coming
years. We want this change to be positive,
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said
Monday. She was referring to a popular
argument in the country's discourse on
immigration in recent months: Germany is
shrinking rapidly, and the trend is expected to
get worse in the coming years. By 2060, there
will be only about 68 million to 73 million
people in Germany, according to current
predictions by the country's statistical office
compared with about 81 million now.

Answer 2

As hundreds of Germans held up "Welcome Refugees" signs last weekend, much of Europe watched in bewilderment. “Germany is the only country that is welcoming us,” said Alalie, a 37-year-old from Damascus, Syria, and one of the thousands of refugees who arrived at the main train station in Munich.

Nearly all of the refugees had come from Hungary — a country with restrictive immigration policies and where many said the authorities had treated them inhumanely. But why are there such deep divides within Europe? Why do some countries welcome refugees, while others do everything they can to keep them out? The reasons are many, but one stands out: demographics. In Germany, for instance, a rapidly aging population is becoming increasingly aware of the need to welcome foreigners. Other countries, where the aging trend is much less severe, have fewer incentives to welcome newcomers.

A closer look at the following maps, which compare demographic trends across Europe between 2001 and 2011, helps explain some of the reasons Europe is so divided on how to deal with refugees. The maps not only offer explanations: They also show which nations might be missing out on an opportunity for future growth. Empathy and the country's Nazi-past — which turned Europe into a battlefield and later forced many Germans themselves to flee the war — might explain the country's enthusiasm for helping today's refugees. But there is another factor that few would openly acknowledge right away: Germany really needs them."What we're experiencing right now is something that will occupy and change our country in the coming years. We want this change to be positive," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday. She was referring to a popular argument in the country's discourse on immigration in recent months: Germany is shrinking rapidly, and the trend is expected to get worse in the coming years. By 2060, there will be only about 68 million to 73 million people in Germany, according to current predictions by the country's statistical office — compared with about 81 million now.

Step-by-step explanation: