Otherness in Order: Discursive Representations of Immigration in Swedish Policy Discourse

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study is to analytically examine how immigration is portrayed in Swedish migration policy discourse using the What’s the Problem Represented to Be? (WPR) approach, and to unpack underlying drivers of these portrayals with a postcolonial lens. Theory This study employs the What’s the Problem Represented to Be? (WPR) approach, an analytical tool that deconstructs problem representations in policy discourse. Post-colonial theory is integrated with the findings of WPR to unpack narratives shaped by colonial legacies and power dynamics. Together, these frameworks allow for a critical examination of how migration is problematised, with particular attention to underlying suppositions and constructions of “Us vs. Them” perspectives. Method This study embodies an abductive textual qualitative methodology, applied on official documents in Sweden. These official documents include governing documents, reports, motions and party manifests to name a few. The methodological analysis is divided into two layers, the first layer draw on the What’s the Problem Represented to Be? - framework. The second layer allow to integrate postcolonialism onto the WPR-findings to unpack how the problem representations can be understood. Results Firstly, the results show that problem representations are regularly portrayed with a narrative of connected criminal activity and extremist values. Secondly, nationalistic values intensify ‘The Otherness’ through three rhetorical aspects: National, Societal and Individual. Lastly, key results show cultural and religious identities in opposition of “True Swedishness” deeply shape Sweden’s hierarchical migration policy.