Strengthening Integration Policies to Counter Illiberal Ideologies: Insights from a French Economist
In recent times, society has often responded to acts of extremism with immediate, reactive measures—tightening speech regulations, restricting protests, and expanding bans. While these actions may seem decisive, they risk compromising the very liberties that define a free society. Evidence suggests that gaps in migration and integration strategies can inadvertently allow extremist ideologies to flourish, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach.
The presence of Islamist extremism in Australia is not a new phenomenon. Decades-long surveillance measures—such as installing hostile-vehicle bollards and implementing rigorous airport security protocols—are constant reminders of the ongoing threat. These passive but necessary precautions have become so embedded in everyday life that their origins are often overlooked. They serve as a deterrent and a preparedness measure rooted in a history of threats, from individuals attempting to join groups like Islamic State (IS) to active security investigations thwarting imminent plots.
Recent events, such as the Bondi Beach attack, bring this challenge into sharper focus. The attacker, Sajid Akram, arrived in Australia on a student visa in 1998 and lived here for many years. His son, an Australian-born citizen, is allegedly connected to IS-affiliated groups since 2019. These facts illuminate that the roots of such threats extend beyond recent political or social fluctuations, reaching deep into Australia’s migration and integration frameworks.
This tragedy underscores systemic failures across the entire spectrum of migration policies—screening processes, cultural acclimatization, enforcement of norms, and responses to warning signs. Australia’s narrative has traditionally celebrated an open society confident enough to embrace newcomers while maintaining social cohesion. However, over time, there has been a drift toward ambiguity: a dual message of celebrating diversity while hesitating to actively uphold the civic values that sustain a liberal democracy. Such vacuums can create fertile ground for parallel value systems, especially among minority groups susceptible to illiberal ideologies rooted in separation and violence.
Internationally, many Western democracies have responded to similar challenges with reforms aimed at fostering genuine civic integration. Moving beyond multicultural approaches that focus solely on cultural diversity, countries like Sweden and Denmark have adopted policies emphasizing civic responsibilities. For instance, Sweden has recently banned marriages between first cousins to reduce honor-related oppression, while Denmark prohibits under-18s from marrying altogether. Additionally, over 20 countries—including many Muslim-majority nations and European countries—have implemented bans on full-face coverings, with France’s ban since 2010 upheld by the European Court of Human Rights as a measure to promote social order and gender equality.
A significant trend in these reforms is the shift toward a model that emphasizes civic requirements as a condition for long-term residency. In Denmark, for example, permanent settlement demands migrants demonstrate employment stability, language proficiency, and a clean criminal record. This approach signals a societal expectation: that integration entails more than cultural coexistence—it involves aligning with fundamental civic values such as the rule of law, gender equality, free expression, and democratic principles.
Such measures represent a deliberate move away from programs that merely adapt societies to migrant populations and instead focus on fostering a shared civic identity. Countries are recognizing that long-standing social norms must be actively enshrined and reinforced, especially as societies become more multicultural.
Australia now stands at a critical juncture. The response to recent acts of extremism can either undermine the principles that underpin liberal democracy or bolster efforts to address the root causes. A constructive path forward involves frank discussions about what integration truly requires. This includes establishing measurable, enforceable standards and ensuring there are tangible consequences for those who reject core democratic values.
Leadership and political consensus are essential in setting and upholding these standards. A clear articulation of civic expectations, backed by credible enforcement, can help protect the society’s fundamental freedoms. The goal is to reduce reliance on reactive security measures—bollards, checkpoints, memorials—and instead foster a civic culture that is explicit, resilient, and unapologetic about its core principles.
In essence, safeguarding a liberal society involves not only defending civil liberties but also proactively defining and defending the civic norms that sustain it. As societies evolve, especially in the face of complex migration challenges, clarity and commitment to shared values will be vital in preventing the erosion of the freedoms we cherish.
Author Bio: Cathal Leslie is a Paris-based economist with experience at the Productivity Commission, dedicated to analyzing policies that promote resilient and inclusive societies.
