In 'Das Integrationsparadox', Aladin El-Mafaalani argues that integration in Germany is more successful than commonly perceived, but this success also leads to increased conflicts. He posits that as immigrant communities become more integrated, they demand greater recognition of their linguistic and religious identities, leading to conflicts with the autochthonous population. El-Mafaalani uses a metaphor of generations of immigrants seeking a seat at the main table to illustrate how integration progresses and conflicts arise. He advocates for a sophisticated culture of debate as the defining culture in Germany, emphasizing that conflicts are a sign of social progress and innovation.

In this book, Aladin El-Mafaalani provides a comprehensive diagnosis of the educational system from various perspectives. He argues that education is often invoked as a solution to societal problems such as poverty, inequality, and radicalization, but it is itself a part of the problem. The book emphasizes the need to focus on social inequality in education and rejects visionary or revolutionary solutions. Instead, it advocates for realistic and practical approaches to address the inherent issues within the educational system.