Across Europe, conservatives are wrong (no surprise!) when they stoke fears of an Islamic invasion.

[pampango]

An invasion without invaders

It has been wondrous to behold the massive outpouring of sympathy towards refugees in Europe. Every "refugees welcome" placard and act of solidarity has restored my faith a little in our human ability to do collective good.

But it strikes me that, as the mainstream has warmed to the refugees and their plight, the right has become more panicky and shrill, triggering the kind of fear and anxiety usually expressed by the defenceless towards ruthless conquerors.

Rather than attribute Europe's economic ills on the continent's growing welfare state for the wealthy, the corporations exporting (or "outsourcing&quot jobs for greater profit and financial sector mismanagement, far-right demagogues find it easier to blame the weak and kick those who are already down.

Though many have related to this new multicultural reality as enriching and empowering, others have found it troublesome and threatening, particularly those conservatives who feel their culture is superior to those of the immigrants.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/09/invasion-invaders-refugees-europe-islam-syria-150930080955916.html