The California Cauldron: Immigration and the Fortunes of Local Communities [Hardcover]

William A.V Clark (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572304030 | ISBN-13: 978-1572304031 | Publication Date: November 25, 1998

Once the prime destination for westward-moving young Americans, California has become a magnet for a new wave of migration. Changes in immigration law and the ebbs and flows of the increasingly global economy have led to an influx of newcomers from every continent and every cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic group.; How has the demographic structure of California changed since the early 1980s? What are the social and spatial consequences of this transformation? Where are the immigrants living, and how successfully are they realizing their versions of the American dream? Examining the impact of large-scale immigration on local communities, this book presents an in-depth geographical case study of the most active "melting pot" in the USA.; Situating migration in its social and economic contexts, the author traces changes in the United States immigration policy over the course of the 20th century and considers implications for how we think about assimilation, pluralism and American identity. The book then provides an overview of why contemporary immigrants come to California and who these individuals are. Examining the consequences of immigration upon California neighbourhoods, cities and counties and traces the impact of migration on levels of fertility, poverty and educational attainment in different localities.; Additional topics covered include pathways to home ownership and the challenges facing California's educational system.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Clark's timely look at California's recent experience with foreign influx clarifies the futures and challenges many communities face in this new demographic era. The local costs and the political tensions aroused can strain a community's social fabric even as the human energy, ambition, and dreams of these determined newcomers enrich the nation they would join. This book offers a wealth of new insight into the local complexities of immigration--and its enduring future promise for the 21st-century United States." --Peter A. Morrison, PhD, Demographer, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA

"In a policy domain where experts behave as advocates and advocates as experts, William Clark refuses to engage in such cross-dressing. Finally, we have a thoughtful expert who rejects the hysteria of restrictionists but who also faces up to the real strains today's immigrants put on the social fabric. Clark offers a thoroughly fresh perspective. Defying the usual categories, he argues for both a more skills-based immigration policy and for more government resources to help low-skilled immigrants already here." --Peter Skerry, PhD, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution; Department of Political Science, Claremont-McKenna College, Claremont, CA

"This book presents a careful and impartial assessment of the long-term social impact of immigration on the state. Professor Clark's analyses of a range of demographic, economic, and educational trends demonstrate that Californians are becoming increasingly divided....Although Californians will find many of Clark's results disturbing, the evidence is so generally consistent that the major trends cannot be denied. All people who love California and are concerned about its future should be aware of the findings presented in this book." --James P. Allen, Professor of Geography, California State University, Northridge

"California has recently become America's most intensely immigrant state. To understand how and why, and what difference this makes, this book is the place to go. Clark covers the entire spectrum--from economics to geography, education to politics--drawing on a wealth of information to detail the shape of immigrant California. This lucid, deeply informed account avoids partisanship without ever skirting the tough issues. A 'must read' for any serious student of immigration." --Roger Waldinger, PhD, Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles

About the Author

William A. V. Clark, PhD, DSc, is Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Los Angeles, where for the last three decades he also has been associated with the Survey Research Center and the Institute for Social Science Research. He has lectured and taught internationally and has published 7 previous books as well as more than 200 articles, abstracts, and research reports. Among his recent awards, he was the recipient of a John Simon Guggenhim Fellowship in 1994-95 and was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1997. He currently teaches undergraduate courses on population and the environment and resources, and graduate courses on international migration and the impact of immigration on regions and cities.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press (November 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572304030
• ISBN-13: 978-1572304031
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,004,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important Observations, November 12, 2001

By 

N. Cooley (Gilbert, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The California Cauldron: Immigration and the Fortunes of Local Communities (Hardcover)

Clark's main thesis is that if the current immigration patterns persist in California that state and the nation as a whole could be in serious trouble. The population of Califrnia due to immigration is exploding (mostly with hispanics who are not assimilating well). These immigrants tend to gather together causing strains on local communities in providing public services to these immigrants.

Clark believes entry into the United States should be based more upon skills and human capital rather than family reunification. Furthermore, he believes increased funding in education should put forth on the part of the federal government. Hopefully, in his opinion, this will even the playing field somewhat and help immigrants assimilate more effectively.

This book is a worthwhile read especially for those interested in immigration and its potential effects on local communities.