From integration mainstreaming to convivial disintegration: how superdiversity shows the pitfalls of (mainstreaming) immigrant integration

The emergent literature on mainstreaming immigrant integration frequently references the term superdiversity. The diversification of migration is put forward as one rational for implementing measures to support immigrant integration across policy fields and across levels of policy making. In this paper I reflect on those assertions and argue that contrarily using superdiversity is not an argument in favour of mainstreaming immigrant integration, but that instead a superdiversity lens is uniquely placed to critically examine whether the goal of mainstreaming should be integration at all. To move this argument forward I propose more concertedly thinking about the merits of better understanding convivial disintegration as a more adequate starting point for thinking through the social and economic implications of international migration and how to address them through policy interventions.