Immigration and multiculturalism in the Scandinavian countries

Abstract

Norway and Sweden were cultural homogenous societies partly away from Europe´s mass immigration from Asian and African countries until the last two decades of the 20th century. The authors investigate social and cultural consequences of transformation of these countries into a “desirable social paradise” for dozens of refugees, illegal immigrants and migrant workers (“Gastarbeiter”). Having turned down immigration policy liberalization and preserved the main state principles of providing all legal immigrants with rights and freedoms support, Norway and Sweden have toughened their legislation during the last decade for the sake of strengthening social, economical and political stability of the society. The article shows the common traits and specific features of the immigration situation in both countries and institutional grounds for admission policy of new immigrants and their social and cultural integration. The authors analyze the connection between the problem of non constructive strategy of the socio cultural adaptation of the citizens with immigration and Islamic cultural backgrounds and the rise of xenophobic moods in the society and stronger support for rightwing populism and antiIslamic radicalism. Both the welfare state and liberal values face big challenges which may come like a thunderbolt for the social system in general.