Assimilation Quote by Norbert Elias
“I would like to remind you that both assimilation and integration apply to the working classes in the nineteenth century, at least in Britain and also Germany. Like most outsider groups compared with the establishment, the working classes were treated more or less with the same kind of stigmatization as immigrant groups are treated today.”
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Civilizing Process” by Norbert Elias, 1939
The quote notes that 19th‑century British and German working classes faced stigma similar to modern immigrants.
In simple terms: Historical stigma mirrors today’s immigrant bias.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address class and immigrant bias.
Themes
social stratification
stigma
class relations
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
academic
historical
When to use this quote
- labor history
- policy making
- education curricula
Key Concepts
historical sociology
immigration studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How does class stigma persist today?
- What lessons can inform current immigration policy?
A Different Perspective
Modern contexts differ; direct comparisons may oversimplify.
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