Social justice beyond neoliberal welfare nationalism: challenges of increasing immigration to Sweden and Norway

Abstract

This article critically examines the socio-political responses of Sweden and Norway to the increasing of immigration and refugees in 2015/16. Based on a review of governmental and municipal authorities’ responses to the increasing immigration to the two countries, the results show that the increasing of immigration and refugees in a time of neoliberal reorganisation in society creates new conceptual, ethical and practical challenges for the practices of social work in the two countries. It is argued that the neoliberal privatisation of the reception of newcomers deteriorates the possibilities of social work to play its effective role in promoting social justice and social cohesion. Social work as a global and human rights profession should move beyond national boundaries and care nationalism in order to realise solidary goals and the international commitments of social work and social workers.