NEVER AT HOME: IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION IN DENMARK AND SWEDEN by CRYSTAL HANNAH BROWN A DISSERTATION Presented to the Department of Political Science and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2019 DISSERTATION APPROVAL PAGE Student: Crystal Hannah Brown Title: Never at Home: Immigrant Integration in Denmark and Sweden This dissertation has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science by: Daniel Tichenor Co-Chairperson Jane Kellett Cramer Co-Chairperson Debra Thompson Core Member Lars Skalnes Core Member Julie Hessler Institutional Representative and Kate Mondloch Interim Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded December 2019 ii © 2019 Crystal Hannah Brown iii DISSERTATION ABSTRACT Crystal Hannah Brown Doctor of Philosophy Department of Political Science December 2019 Title: Never at Home: Immigrant Integration in Denmark and Sweden My dissertation is a comparative analysis of immigration and integration policies in Denmark and Sweden. I compared these countries because they take different policy approaches to integration; Denmark uses assimilationist policies while Sweden takes a multicultural approach, but they are getting similar results. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED) in 2015, both countries had high poverty levels for non-Western immigrants relative to the native populations—a surprise considering that they have robust social welfare systems. Relying on more than 12 months of fieldwork in Denmark and Sweden, the central goal of this study was to understand why the differences in policies produced a similar outcome of poverty levels. I did a historical analysis of the countries, I collected data using a survey questionnaire, and I did participant observations through field research. The findings from my research indicated connections between nation-building, belonging, historical myths, the perception of non-Western immigrants, and institutional barriers. I found that social practices trumped integration policies, which created similarities in outcomes. iv CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Crystal Hannah Brown GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene, OR Pennsylvania State University, Middletown, PA DePaul University, Chicago, IL DEGREES AWARDED: Doctor of Philosophy, Political Science, 2019, University of Oregon Master of Science, Political Science, 2015, University of Oregon Master of Public Administration, School of Public Affairs, 2006, Pennsylvania State University Bachelor of Arts, English and Communications, 2004, DePaul University AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Comparative Politics, International Relations, European Politics, U.S. Politics, Immigration, Immigrant Integration, Race/Ethnicity and Politics, Human Rights, Gender Studies, and Mixed Research Methods PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Assistant Teaching Professor, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2019-Current Instructor, Western Oregon University, 2019 Instructor, Lane Community College, 2019 Teaching and Research Assistant, University of Oregon 2012-2019 Study Abroad Advisor, DePaul University 2010-2012 Peace Corps Volunteer, United States Peace Corps, 2006-2009 GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: University of Oregon, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Dissertation Writing Fellowship, 2019 Fulbright Schuman Fellow in Denmark and Sweden, Fulbright Schuman Commission 2017/18 Diversity Excellence Award, University of Oregon, 2017-2018 Gary E. Smith Professional Development Award, University of Oregon, 2017 v University of Oregon Summer Research Award, Office of Equity and Inclusion, 2016 Panelist Winner, University of Oregon Graduate Student Research Forum, "Gender, Human Rights, and the Paradox of Statelessness," 2015 Finalist, University of Oregon’s “Three Minute” Thesis Competition, 2014 Promising Scholar Award, University of Oregon, Academic Year 2012-13 CONFERENCE PAPERS: Upcoming “When Will We No longer be Foreigners? The Complexities of Immigrant Integration, and Race/Ethnicity in Western Societies” will be presented at the Organizing Migration and Integration in Contemporary Societies, Gothenburg, Sweden, November 6-9, 2019. “Conflict in Europe: Refugees and Terrorism” presented at Fulbright Schuman Annual Meeting, February 22-25, 2018, Brussels, Belgium. “Conflict in Europe: Refugees and Terrorism” presented at the International Studies Association (ISA), February 22-25, 2017, Baltimore, Maryland. “Black and Red: African Americans and the Soviet Union” presented at the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS), March 15-18, 2017, San Diego, California. “Born to be Rad: Is Better Integration the Solution for Radicalization?” presented at the Northwest Political Science Association, November 10-13, 2016, Portland Oregon. “Communism, Nationalism, and African American Political Thought: A View from Black Newspapers 1910-1949,” presented at the American Political Science Association, September 3-6, 2015, San Francisco, CA. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to acknowledge all of the people who helped me complete my dissertation. I am most grateful to my twin sister, Christine Brown, who has been with me literally from the womb. We motivate each other to outdo any limitations that we put on ourselves and that others might try to put on us. I am grateful for her honest feedback and her tough-love attitude that reveals itself through honest critical conversations. I am lucky to go through life with a twin who simply gets me. My advisors Dr. Jane Cramer and Dr. Daniel Tichenor have supported me throughout my dissertation writing process. Jane motivated me to finish graduate school even though I wanted to give up. She helped me navigate through difficult situations and people. I am forever grateful for her wise advice. Dan stepped in when I needed his support to finish the last steps of my dissertation. Without his expertise and quick feedback, I would still be writing. I am grateful for my committee members Dr. Lars Skalnes and Dr. Julie Hessler who stuck with me throughout the years as I was finetuning my research idea. My committee member Dr. Deborah Thompson stepped-in just six months before my defense and provided me with life-long advice. She helped me find my voice as a new scholar and to see the value of my work. I am grateful for a sister who looked back in the world of academia to grab my hand and to show me the way forward. Throughout graduate school, numerous people and offices across the University of Oregon’s campus supported me, and I want to recognize them. I want to thank Angelita Chavez, Meian Chan, Yongwoo Jeung, Malori Musselman, Nicole Francisco, and Kevin O’Hare for many enriching conversations. I want to thank my dear friend Kate vii Stoysich, for being a true friend and helping me in the darkest hour of my dissertation writing process. I want to thank the administrative staff in the Political Science Department at the University of Oregon. They all rock at their jobs! I specifically want to mention Tish Ramey, who kept me on top of all deadlines and helped me solve administrative issues throughout my time in graduate school. Thanks to the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Oregon for their support through fellowships. Vice President Dr. Yvette Alex-Assensoh’s support was unwavering over the years. Lastly, this research was supported by a fellowship from the Fulbright Schuman Program. Fulbright is not responsible for the views expressed herein. viii I dedicate this to my ancestors who came before me who could not pursue higher education. I thank you for your fight that led to my freedom and my access to study at a university. I do this for you and for the future generations to come. I also dedicate this to immigrants who are trying to find their way in a new country. The fight to be included is difficult. You belong, and there is a home for you. Your future generations will see the benefits of your hard labor. ix TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION AND RESEARCH QUESTION......................................... 1 Debates in the European Migration and Integration Literature ....................................... 4 Denmark and Sweden Case Studies Selection Process .................................................... 9 Fieldwork: Population, Participants, and Procedure ...................................................... 12 Defining Important Terms ......................................................................................... 15 Understanding Integration Barriers in Immigrant Communities ............................... 17 What’s to Follow............................................................................................................ 20 CHAPTER II. APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF INTEGRATION ............................... 23 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 23 Immigrant Integration in Denmark and in Sweden .................................................. 26 Integration Theories are Complex in Europe ................................................................ 28 The Shift from Multiculturalism and Assimilation to Integration Indicators .......... 33 Who are Integration Policies Targeting? ................................................................