Whiteshift: Populism, Immigration and the Future of White Majorities

Across the West, anti-immigration populists are tearing a path through the usual politics of left and right. Immigration is remaking Europe and North America- over half of American babies are non-white, and by the end of the century, minorities and those of mixed race are projected to form the majority in many countries. Drawing on an extraordinary range of surveys, Whiteshift explores the majority response to ethnic change in Western Europe, North America and Australasia. Eric Kaufmann, a leading expert on immigration, calls for us to move beyond empty talk about national identity and open up debate about the future of white majorities. He argues that we must ditch the 'diversity myth' that whites will dwindle, replacing it with whiteshift - a new story of majority transformation that can help lift anxieties and heal today's widening political divisions. A bold, original work, Whiteshift will redefine the way we think about ethnic diversity and populism.

About the Author :
Eric Kaufmann is Professor of Politics at Birkbeck College, University of London. A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, he was born in Hong Kong and spent eight early years in Tokyo. His previous books include Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?and The Rise and Fall of Anglo-America.

Review :
A magisterial survey of the most important political trend of the 21st century so far. It will be controversial - but mostly with those who dislike evidence, are horrified by open mindedness, and who find it convenient to ignore truth. It should be required reading for today's rulers; they may not like it, but they need to understand Kaufmann's defence of democracy before it's too late A powerful and rigorously researched exploration of how demographic change is transforming western societies and politics. Rejecting extreme nationalism and extreme liberal individualism alike, Kaufmann uses a wealth of empirical data to carve out a space for a multivocal and flexible political system that recognises ethnic identities without sacrificing liberal values of freedom and tolerance. Whether or not you end up agreeing with it, this is a book that speaks to the most urgent and difficult issues of our time Whiteshift is a big, brilliant, ambitious book - perhaps the first truly definitive book of the Trump era. Meticulous, challenging, and provocative, this is the rare book that takes it upon itself to try to shift our entire way of thinking on the most difficult question of our time - inevitable demographic and ethnic change in the United States and Europe Extraordinary. . . a tour de force that could expand the so-called "Overton window" - the range of what is acceptable to say - on these central issues A detailed analysis of attitudes to race breaks the taboo on this vital subject . . . Anyone interested in preparing for the future would do well to read this book. . . Part of the usefulness of the book is in the amount of new data that Kaufmann brings to the debate. As well as his statistical analysis Kaufmann also displays an extraordinarily deep and wide historical knowledge A giant of a book, channelling together cascades of polls, data sets and excursions in history to produce a conclusion of qualified optimism. . . does the large service of telling liberals and leftists who prefer to remain shocked rather than to work at understanding that their fellow citizens are not, in the main, deplorable bigots, and that white fear is real, but need not be dangerous An essential read for liberals. In among its many graphs and reports of surveys are a series of salutary reminders of how easily the idea of a threat from strangers can become a dominant political issue. You may not agree with Kaufmann, but you have to deal with him An explosive book A monumental study of ethno-demographic change and the rise of populism across the rich world. . . ranges far beyond Brexit and Britain and puts a parochial debate in a much bigger context A very substantial book with important things to say about identity, migration, populism and other questions of the moment. . . One of the best aspects of Kaufmann's book is its optimism An insightful study of demographic change in the US, UK, Canada, Europe and Australia