Multilevel governance of the “refugee crisis” in Germany: a chronological analysis of governance approaches and implementation outcomes

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of reception and redistribution policies and practices around asylum seekers and refugees in Germany during and after the 2015 reception crisis. By using a chronological approach, it highlights the immigration dynamics that resulted in growing pressure on the German reception system. The chapter analyses how those pressures were responded to and reflects on the results of policy implementation using a multilevel governance (MLG) perspective. The chapter shows that reception policies were harmonised throughout the sixteen states, thus leading to converging political practices regarding redistribution practices and reception conditions. On the other hand, the analysis points to considerable variations at the local level, where a multitude of state and non-state actors cooperate, and where decisions regarding the reception of asylum seekers have to be taken within the wider context of local conditions and demands. As a consequence, we see varying—if not diverging—policy implementation results, so that the very idea of “fair shares” is called into question. Hence, the chapter pleas for attention to be paid to the local level as an important context for negotiation and implementation processes.