Description
Book SynopsisThis timely book explores how Northern European countries have sought to balance their welfare states with increased levels of migration from low-income countries outside the EU. Using case studies of the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, leading scholars analyse the varying approaches to this so-called ‘progressive dilemma’.
Providing an in-depth analysis of the relationship between public policies and the flow of migrants into these Northern European states, the book considers which destination-country policies most attract asylum seekers and other migrants. Chapters explore how the four states have responded to increased levels of immigration, examining their handling of issues related to integrating admitted applicants into the labour market, educating the children of immigrants, and naturalisation. Concluding with an investigation into contemporary public consensus regarding migrant selection, based on original survey experiments, the book sheds light on an issue that has become both politically and academically salient in Europe since the late 20th century.
Interdisciplinary in scope, this expansive book contributes to the emerging field of research in the intersection between European migration studies and welfare studies. Its examination of the states’ varying responses to increased migration will be of significant interest to researchers, policymakers, and public intellectuals in Northern Europe and beyond.
Trade Review‘This stimulating book redefines the “progressive dilemma”, the fear that immigration and ethno-racial diversity undermine the welfare state. Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, the book concludes that the tensions between natives and newcomers are real, but the result is not weaker social programs but pressure for more selective immigration. The battles and choices occur at the border.’ -- Keith Banting, Queen's University, Canada
Table of ContentsContents: Preface xiii 1 Migration and Northern European welfare states 1 Christian Albrekt Larsen 2 Modelling the inflow of asylum seekers into Northern Europe: are access to generous welfare benefits and other policies affecting destination choice? 23 Anna Diop-Christensen and Lanciné E.N. Diop 3 Asylum seekers’ social rights while waiting: comparative insights from Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands 49 Karen Nielsen Breidahl 4 Labour market policies and refugees: the case of Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany 64 Rasmus Lind Ravn, Emma Ek Österberg and Trine Lund Thomsen 5 Education policies and the dilemmas concerning migrant students in the Northern European welfare states: the case of mother-tongue instruction 95 Nanna Ramsing Enemark, Jin Hui Li and Mette Buchardt 6 Memories of recognition in school: a survey of young adult immigrant descendants in Denmark and Sweden 110 Kristian Kriegbaum Jensen and Tore Vincents Olsen 7 From convergence to divergence? The evolvement of North European citizenship politics 125 Kristian Kriegbaum Jensen 8 Public opinion about migrant selection in Northern Europe 141 Troels Fage Hedegaard and Christian Albrekt Larsen 9 Revisiting the progressive dilemma 161 Christian Albrekt Larsen References 185 Index
