The Challenges of Recent Migrations to Scandinavia

Abstract

Despite having nearly identical historical, ethnic, and social backgrounds, Sweden and Denmark have taken fairly different approaches to the issue of immigration over the last half-century. While Denmark surrendered to some extent its reputation as a humanitarian superpower by advocating for aggressive anti-immigration and anti-refugee policies, Sweden took in perhaps more refugees than they were able to accommodate. Both cases ultimately led to a severe marginalization of immigrant communities – especially of immigrants of Middle Eastern background. This marginalization, in turn, has led to some disturbances and even terror attacks in Copenhagen and Stockholm, and has been fueling anti-immigration sentiments amongst Scandinavian voters at an increasing pace. While Sweden remains politically moderate relative to the rest of Europe, Denmark has seen an incredible surge of its far-right, populist Folkeparti in its last few elections.