Utmaningen

"This study concerns the intersection of two trajectories in Swedish history between circa 1939 and 1954. On the one hand, the Swedish state was undergoing a transformation from a traditional liberal policy of complementing voluntary philanthropic efforts with limited needs-based poor relief, to establishing a comprehensive welfare state with universalist ambitions. On the other hand, Sweden was going from being a country of limited to considerable immigration. The overall aim of the study is thus to show how, during these formative years of immigration policies and welfare policies, the Swedish state and its authorities handled refugees and other immigrants. The focus lies on the refugees' possibilities of supporting themselves, and also on their access to basic welfare benefits such as health care."-- P. 269.