Integration policy in Denmark & Sweden - A comparative study on problem representations in ‘Regeringens långsiktiga strategi för att minska och motverka segregation 2018-2028’ and ‘Ét Danmark uden parallelsamfund- Ingen ghettoer I 2030’

Sammanfattning: Sweden and Denmark are both welfare states sharing a unique bond and similarities. However, attitudes in integration policies are a world apart. Whilst Denmark has gained a reputation of having a strict and harsh immigration policy seeking to uphold cultural homogeneousness, Sweden proudly announces its welcoming stance on immigration embracing cultural diversity. This study offers an insight into problem representations in integration policies in Sweden and Denmark. Existing literature in this field is mainly concerned with post-integration policies leaving literature on problem representations that are more recent unexplored. This thesis seeks to fill that gap by describing the similarities, differences, and underlying assumptions in integration policies in the respective countries. By applying a ‘What’s the problem represented to be’ approach based on a Foucauldian discourse analysis, the findings of this study show significant differences in problem representations and underlying assumptions.