In many areas of modern geopolitics, European countries occupy a very prominent place. It is difficult to overestimate the economic, socio-political and cultural significance that these states have for the rest of the world. It is in Europe that many key centers of global influence are located - from religious and cultural (like the Vatican) to financial (like Switzerland and others). Undoubtedly, the ethnic composition of the population both in the region as a whole and in individual countries is of great importance for the formation of the current power of European states. Among the most highly developed and influential states of the West, one can name such single-national countries of Europe as Germany, Sweden, Denmark.
Historically, one-national countries are mainly geographically located in Europe (Italy, Poland, Ireland, Austria and others), the Middle East (Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, etc.) and Latin America (Argentina, Ecuador, etc.). To this categoryalso includes most African states, Japan, South Korea and many other powers. Single-ethnic countries are characterized by the coincidence of state and ethnic borders, and the population of the main nationality in them is at least 90% of the total number of inhabitants.
In many regions today the problem of interethnic relations is becoming more and more acute. This may be due to the economic inequality of the population of different nationalities in developed countries, the infringement of the cultural customs of national minorities, and a number of other reasons. Religious issues can also serve as a reason for such contradictions. Until recently, single-ethnic countries of foreign Europe relatively rarely faced the need to resolve ethnic differences. True, this did not apply to the problem of interreligious disputes (relevant, for example, for Northern Ireland). Due to the severe consequences of such clashes, conflict situations require an immediate response, no matter in which state they arise.
In the middle of the last century, most of the countries of Western Europe experienced a shortage of their own labor resources, which was caused by huge human losses in World War II and low birth rates. Many single-ethnic countries became the largest centers of labor immigration in the world at that time. And to this day, Europe cannot completely stop the flow of immigrants from Asia, Africa, Latin America. Even staying here foreverforeign workers prefer to settle compactly and do not assimilate with the indigenous population. The cultural features brought by visitors, the observance of their religious rights, customs and traditions are sometimes protected by both legal and criminal methods. Naturally, native Europeans living in single-ethnic countries do not experience much joy from the increase in the number of immigrants. Moreover, over time, the trend towards an increase in the number and strengthening of the influence of the “non-European” population does not change. This is happening both due to the further influx of migrants, and because of the higher birth rate in their families.
Each year the ethnic composition of the population of Western European states continues to become more and more complicated. Consequently, the settlement of issues related to interethnic relations will become more and more relevant.
