Description
Book SynopsisWhy do some governments try to limit immigrants’ access to social benefits and entitlements while others do not? Through an in-depth study of Sweden, Canada, and the Netherlands, Immigration and the Politics of Welfare Exclusion maps the politics of immigrants’ social rights in Western democracies. To achieve this goal, Edward A. Koning analyzes policy documents, public opinion surveys, data on welfare use, parliamentary debates, and interviews with politicians and key players in the three countries.
Koning’s findings are three-fold. First, the politics of immigrant welfare exclusion have little to do with economic factors and are more about general opposition to immigration and multiculturalism. Second, proposals for exclusion are particularly likely to arise in a political climate that incentivizes politicians to appear tough on immigration. Finally, the success of anti-immigrant politicians in bringing about exclusionary reforms depends on the r
Trade Review
"Economic rationales do not support excluding immigrants from social benefits and services, argues Edward A. Koning in this compelling comparative study. Instead, politics and political logics explain why some countries go much further than others in reducing or eliminating immigrants’ access to social rights." -- Willem Maas, York University * Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies *
Table of Contents
List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. Theorizing Immigrant-Excluding Welfare Reforms The Progressive’s Dilemma: Immigration versus the Welfare State? Immigrant-Excluding Welfare Reforms (and Their Alternatives) The Political Translation of Economic Facts Forces of Continuity: Institutionalizing Immigrants’ Social Rights Forces of Change: Contesting Immigrants’ Social Rights 2. The Limits of Economic Explanations Immigrant Welfare Use and Public Opinion Immigrant Welfare Use and Support for Welfare Exclusion in Three Countries 3. Sweden: Universalism, Even for Newcomers? A Story of Gradual Inclusion Framing Welfare Dependence as Utanförskap Anti-Migrant Politics in the Margins, but for How Long? 4. Canada: Stability in a Country of Immigrants Continuation of the Canadian Model of Immigration and Welfare Faulty Admission and ‘Bogus’ Claimants: Framing Immigrants’ Welfare Dependence Political Battles at the Margins of the Canadian Model 5. The Netherlands: The Sudden Surge of Selective Solidarity A Recent History of Immigrant-Excluding Welfare Reforms From Taboo to Cliché: Increasing Concerns about Immigrants’ Welfare Reliance Reaching the Boundaries of Exclusion Conclusions Appendix Tables List of Interviews Works Cited Endnotes
