From Introduction:

In the nineteen fifties, Denmark’s refugee policy was seen as exemplary, the country’s commitment to the UN refugee aid was presented as worthy of imitation, and in 1983 the asylum laws were still applauded as the most liberal ones. Since this time Danish politics and their evaluation have changed continuously – a dramatic turnaround has taken place. In this respect there are questions which have arisen not just since the current refugee crisis: why has Denmark (for many years) been pursuing a policy of exclusion in immigration? Why has the country passed probably the most rigid and xenophobic legislation on foreigners in Western Europe and continues to tighten it successively – and this despite knowing that the country suffers dramatically from a labour shortage, to say nothing of the ethical questions? Why on the other hand has Sweden for a long time been characterised by an inclusive immigration policy, gave immigrants the right to vote many years ago, has a liberal attitude towards family reunification, encourages ethno-cultural diversity and is distinguished by its generous culture and language policy for immigrants? With the reforms of the constitution in Sweden in the nineteen seventies, the cultural rights of immigrants were given constitutional status; to obtain citizenship, immigrants are not required be competent in the Swedish language, they are not questioned about the customs of the country nor do they have to provide for themselves economically – in Denmark (and to a certain extent also in Norway) completely opposite laws apply.

Why must Danish values be maintained and protected (with the assistance of a cultural canon), whilst in Sweden only a few are interested in Swedish values? Why has multiculturalism become a dirty word in Denmark and seen as a threat to politics and society, yet felt to be an enrichment in Sweden, as something that is economically beneficial and which has become a generally accepted (and misused) hallmark? Why is public discussion in Denmark more “oriented on cultural differences” and why are “islamophobic attitudes more frequently articulated in media and politics”, whilst in Sweden the discourse is characterised by “a high standard of political correctness”?