The return of the 'noble savage'

Cotidianul newspaper argues that Europe's future will depend on how it tackles the immigration problem. "As our continent has fallen into a demographic abyss, no further arguments are needed in favour of importing workers. ... On the one hand even a developed country cannot shoulder the burden of international poverty on its own without sinking into anarchy. On the other, well-integrated foreigners are a better alternative than marginalised stowaways. ... Instead of preparing the next generation for inter-ethnic urban warfare we would be better off introducing biometric passports, linking up our databases and securing our borders. ... This leaves only the issue of cultural integration open. Germany and France, for example, recently introduced selection procedures. To acquire a work permit the candidate must have a good command of the language of the country in question and know all the constitutional dates. The other EU countries are likely to follow suit. But whatever happens, the post-war era in which millions of guest workers ran around on building sites without speaking a word of the language is a thing of the past. Rousseau's 'noble savage' is making a comeback, but this time round he got rid of his academic outfit and and is a post-modern Yuppie."

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