What are the main causes and effects of growing ethnic diversity in contemporary Europe?

AAS THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY OPENED and ongoing globalization transformed European society and politics, Europeans also saw the ethnic makeup of their communities change. On the one hand, Europe experienced a remarkable decline in birthrates that seemed to predict a shrinking and aging population in the future. On the other hand, the European Union attracted rapidly growing numbers of refugees and immigrants from the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The unexpected arrival of so many newcomers raised perplexing questions about ethnic diversity and the costs and benefits of multiculturalism.

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The Changing Face of London’s Arsenal Football ClubGrowing ethnic diversity is transforming many aspects of everyday life in contemporary Europe, including the ethnic makeup of European football (soccer) teams. In 1950, the Arsenal Football Club of northern London was composed entirely of white ethnic Britons (bottom). Today, its diverse roster includes players from around the globe (top). (1950 team: Bob Thomas/Hulton Archive/Getty Images; 2010 team: AFP/Getty Images)