Citizenship, immigration, welfare: an analysis of the scandinavian countries

Abstract

In the 20th century advanced industrial countries of the West faced with the challenge of providing full economic, political and civil rights to the millions of post-Second World War migrant workers and their families. The challenge was twofold: For the host countries the challenge was how to accept migrant workers as permanent settlers and provide their integration into the host country?s economic, social and political system. For the migrant workers the challenge was how to achieve social justice, respect and fair treatment for themselves and their families without having to pay an unacceptable price in terms of compromising their national identities and cultural heritage. This study investigates how this twofold problem was handled within the tradition of Scandinavian welfare state. An analysis of the solutions offered by the Scandinavian countries in the form of humanitarian and generous policies and practices towards migrant workers may provide a good example to other countries struggling with the same problem.