The Smart Power In The Refugee Crisis: A Comparison Of Refugee Policies Between Britain And Germany

Since 2010,European countries have been affected by the tide of refugees.The governments of Britain and Germany have taken a different attitude towards refugees.The German government has adopted integration policy to refugees and treats refugees more tolerantly.However,The British government adopts a restrictive refugee policy and treats refugees more harshly.The policy choices of the two countries are the result of the implementation of the smart power strategy.The smart power strategy is allocate hard power and soft power resources rationally under the constraints of existing structural conditions,thereby achieving the goal of expanding state power,raising the country's international status,and enhancing the country's image.In the case of the United Kingdom,the slow economic development and the high unemployment rate in terms of hard power have determined that its ability to accept refugees is insufficient;a relatively high power position determines its inadequacy in receiving refugee power.In terms of soft power,the post-Cold War country's national image is generally positive.A positive image means insufficient motivation to enhance the image.So there lacks of motivation to receive refugees.The racist tendencies in the country determines the willingness to receive refugees.As far as Germany is concerned,its economic situation has always maintained a leading position among EU countries,and it lacks skilled labor force.Therefore,it is morewilling to accept refugees to fill the vacancies in the labor force;the relatively low power position make it difficult to promote German promotion.At the same time,the negative history of German Nazi exclusion and discrimination in World War II undermined its national image.In order to reshape the positive image of the country,Germany is more willing to accept refugees and resolve international dilemmas with a more positive attitude.Both Britain and Germany have made policy choices that meet "smart power" on the basis of weighing hard power and soft power.