France, Islam, and Immigration: Lessons for America

Over the past two decades, the United States has experienced a significant shift in its public discourse surrounding Islam, from the heightened fears that followed the attacks of September 11 to the election of Muslim leaders in major cities such as New York. Meanwhile, in France, debates over immigration, national identity, and secularism have intensified. In his 2014 book, The Suicide of France, former French presidential candidate and journalist Éric Zemmour raised concerns about the long-term social and political impact of immigration and evolving conceptions of citizenship - issues, he argues, that have only grown more pressing in recent years. As the U.S. continues to grapple with its own questions around immigration, integration, and religious pluralism, comparisons between the French and American experiences have become increasingly relevant. What lessons, if any, can be drawn from France’s approach? And how might differing views on citizenship, assimilation, and national identity shape the future of democratic societies? Hear from Zemmour himself as he, Nathan Pinkoski, translator of the forthcoming English edition of The Suicide of France, and Heritage President Kevin Roberts discuss these questions and their broader implications.