The question of migration has become a dominant code for the democratic constitutions in the Global North. One may even say migration has become the social question of the 21st century. It overlaps with the established social conflicts related to distributive justice, cultural self-description, norm and value orientation, and the political perception of ‘the other.’
As societies become more diverse, different ways of describing these shared spaces have emerged. Concepts like multiculturalism, superdiversity, and conviviality reflect various attempts to name the ways in which immigrants and native-born populations live together and adapt to each other’s presence. It is clear that migration’s impact reaches well beyond the lives of migrants alone; it changes the language people speak, the policies they follow, cultural practices, and even the stories nations tell themselves about who they are. This kind of migration-induced pluralization often brings shifts in laws, ideas about identity, borders, and what it actually means to belong—though some embrace these changes more readily than others.What if all immigrants were gone?
The concept of postmigration offers a new perspective for understanding social transformations driven by migration. It does not suggest that migration has ceased, but rather highlights how migrants and their descendants negotiate recognition and belonging while simultaneously reshaping the social, political, and cultural landscapes of the countries to which they have migrated. In postmigration societies, the legacy of migration extends beyond the integration of newcomers, involving a rethinking of the entire framework of belonging. The 'post-migrant' perspective provides a lens for analyzing what unfolds beyond the image of the immigrant as the perpetual 'other,' after migration has been politically recognized as integral to the social fabric. It also deconstructs dominant meta-narratives of migration, asking whether our debates around migration are truly about migration at all, or whether they mask deeper concerns about shifting power and privilege. If migration is being used as a proxy for every problem society faces, perhaps it is time to 'de-migrantize' the debates. In this context, the 'post' could be a call to look 'behind' the curtain and ask: What if all immigrants were gone? Would our elderly receive better care? Would governments invest more in affordable housing or shared public spaces? Would there be more trains connecting struggling rural areas to vibrant cities? And would those cities remain as vibrant?As diverse populations settle and establish roots, social norms and values adapt to accommodate pluralism. This shift requires moving away from rigid national narratives centered on homogeneity and embracing more fluid and inclusive definitions of belonging. The concept of belonging thus becomes central, as different groups—whether migrants, minorities, or the majority population—navigate the complexities of identity, recognition, and participation in a pluralistic democracy. The prefix ‘post,’ which focuses on what comes after, behind, and beyond migration, in the post-migrant perspective, aims to irritate the usual categories of 'migrant' and 'native.' It encourages to focus instead on building connections, finding common ground, and creating shared forms of belonging in an increasingly diverse world, where the distinction between 'us' and 'them' are growing increasingly blurred.
Heimat versus Community: Comparing Germany and Canada
Belonging is a dynamic and complex concept, shaped by the historical, cultural, and political landscapes of each society. In Canada and Germany, both key immigration destinations, who belongs is negotiated through distinct frameworks—Canada’s multiculturalism and Germany’s evolving integration policies. While both countries face challenges in fostering inclusive societies, their approaches to belonging reveal key differences in national identity and the treatment of diversity.The Canadian Context
Belonging is not only significant for second- and third-generation migrants who may embody hybrid identities, blending cultural elements from their ‘ancestral’ homeland—often shaped by imagined narratives or transgenerational traditions—with those of the host society, which is their country of birth. Belonging can also be tied to experiences of inequality that are not rooted in migration at all. In the Canadian context, Indigenous peoples including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, grapple with their own questions around belonging in a settler-colonial society founded by immigrants. In this reverse situation, where immigrants displaced native populations, we must ask whether the post-migrant perspective is relevant at all. If we wish to adapt this concept to the Canadian case, it is crucial to explicitly refer to the Canadian settler society, which is only now coming to terms with its colonial past while it navigates high levels of immigration and asylum in recent decades.
Germany: Heimat & ‘Leitkultur’
Germany and Canada indeed exemplify two distinct approaches to conceptualizing belonging in postmigration societies. In Germany, discussions around belonging are often framed through the term ‘Heimat’ (homeland), which carries strong emotional and historical significance. Heimat is traditionally associated with cultural heritage, identity, and a sense of rootedness, making it a powerful yet contentious term in debates about inclusion and exclusion. The concept of Heimat serves as a key reference point in Germany for negotiating belonging, reflecting the country's longstanding focus on cultural continuity and identity. Alongside the notion of Leitkultur—a guiding culture rooted in historical traditions—Heimat repeatedly resurfaces in public debates, gaining attention every few years without ever being clearly defined, due to its vague and flexible meanings. Both Heimat and Leitkultur are reconstructive concepts that look backward, raising questions such as: 'How did we Germans become who we are today?'
Canada: Community
In contrast, Canada’s approach to belonging highlights the importance of community, integrating diverse cultural backgrounds while promoting shared values. It is more aspirational than reconstructive. The country is renowned for its official policy of multiculturalism, adopted in 1971, which promotes the coexistence of diverse cultures while encouraging participation in public life. Belonging in Canada is framed by this commitment to inclusivity, where immigrants are encouraged to retain their cultural heritage alongside acquiring citizenship and participating in Canadian society. This model is underpinned by policies that support cultural expression, language diversity, and protection from discrimination. However, belonging in Canada is not without its challenges. Indigenous communities, who assert sovereignty and land rights, often find their sense of belonging contested by the ongoing legacy of colonialism. Similarly, racialized minorities, including Black and Muslim Canadians, face systemic barriers such as employment discrimination and social exclusion. While Canada’s multiculturalism is celebrated, these communities often experience conditional forms of belonging.
The evolution of Germany in the direction of a multicultural society
Germany has historically been more hesitant to embrace multiculturalism. For much of its post-war history, Germany viewed itself as a non-immigration country, despite the presence of large numbers of Gastarbeiter (guest workers) and their descendants. The concept of Leitkultur (leading culture), which emphasized assimilation into a German cultural framework, shaped early integration efforts for many years—but it has always remained contested. However, Germany’s approach has evolved, especially since 2001, when it changed its citizenship laws and officially recognized itself as a country of immigration. In the past decade, Germany has established itself as a significant player in global migration, resulting in an increasingly diverse population. Germany now ranks second globally in absolute numbers of international migrants and is among the top five refugee accepting countries. The refugee crisis of 2015 and the Ukraine war breaking out in 2022 further altered the social fabric of the country. Economists and the majority of the population contend that these changes have been advantageous, while right-wing populist parties, which have gained increased influence, argue the opposite.
Increasingly, Germany is embracing the notion of a 'postmigrant society,' where belonging is not just about integrating immigrants into an existing national framework but transforming that framework to reflect the contributions and identities of newcomers. Yet, challenges persist, including rising nationalism, debates over cultural identity, and a lack of consensus on what constitutes 'German' belonging.
Both models—Germany's and Canada's—face challenges. In Germany, the reinterpretation of Heimat must overcome deep-rooted notions of cultural exclusivity. In Canada, systemic racism and ongoing discrimination against Indigenous peoples and racialized minorities reveal the limitations of the multicultural framework. While 'community' as a concept provides a broad foundation for recognizing diversity, it does inherently translate into equitable social inclusion or the dismantling of structural barriers.