Immigrants and Immigration in the Finnish Election Manifestos 2023 : A Critical Discourse Analysis
Glatz, Elisabeth (2024)
2024
Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024053142170
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024053142170
Tiivistelmä
This thesis employs critical discourse analysis to examine how nine parliamentary parties in Finland (the Centre Party, the Christian Democrats, the Finns Party, the Green League, the Left Alliance, Movement Now, the National Coalition Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Swedish People’s Party) address immigration in their 2023 election manifestos. Ten distinct discourses are outlined. However, not all parties adopt the same positions within these discourses. Proximity on the GAL-TAN and left-right spectrums does not predict similar arguments.
The parties view immigrants as essential for labor shortages and an aging population, yet also as burdens. High-skilled immigrants are seen as saviors of the welfare state, while others face differential inclusion. Some parties advocate for strict criteria for benefits and residency, emphasizing controls and exclusion of those deemed “unintegrable”. Language proficiency emerges as a gatekeeping mechanism for access to opportunities, equating linguistic ability with societal contribution while overlooking structural barriers and discrimination. Language is used for inclusion and exclusion.
Differential inclusion is central to understanding the varied treatment of different immigrant groups. High-skilled immigrants are welcomed and valued, with policies aimed at attracting them and easing access to residency and employment opportunities. Conversely, refugees and asylum seekers face stricter requirements, reflecting a view of them being less desirable or valuable. Education is proposed as a solution for assimilation and employability, but this can perpetuate classist and racist ideologies by positioning immigrants as deficient.
Cultural othering extends across various parties, with nationalistic positions and linguistic assimilation as prerequisites for welfare and citizenship. Populist rhetoric emphasizes a homogeneous Finnish identity, portraying immigrants as threats to the economy and culture.
Normalisms underlying political discourse on immigration are identified: the portrayal of the welfare state in crisis due to unsustainable immigrant support, the belief in the necessity of Finnish or Swedish language proficiency, and the notion that the Finnish language and culture are threatened. These assumptions perpetuate assimilation and conformity over diversity and inclusion.
The parties view immigrants as essential for labor shortages and an aging population, yet also as burdens. High-skilled immigrants are seen as saviors of the welfare state, while others face differential inclusion. Some parties advocate for strict criteria for benefits and residency, emphasizing controls and exclusion of those deemed “unintegrable”. Language proficiency emerges as a gatekeeping mechanism for access to opportunities, equating linguistic ability with societal contribution while overlooking structural barriers and discrimination. Language is used for inclusion and exclusion.
Differential inclusion is central to understanding the varied treatment of different immigrant groups. High-skilled immigrants are welcomed and valued, with policies aimed at attracting them and easing access to residency and employment opportunities. Conversely, refugees and asylum seekers face stricter requirements, reflecting a view of them being less desirable or valuable. Education is proposed as a solution for assimilation and employability, but this can perpetuate classist and racist ideologies by positioning immigrants as deficient.
Cultural othering extends across various parties, with nationalistic positions and linguistic assimilation as prerequisites for welfare and citizenship. Populist rhetoric emphasizes a homogeneous Finnish identity, portraying immigrants as threats to the economy and culture.
Normalisms underlying political discourse on immigration are identified: the portrayal of the welfare state in crisis due to unsustainable immigrant support, the belief in the necessity of Finnish or Swedish language proficiency, and the notion that the Finnish language and culture are threatened. These assumptions perpetuate assimilation and conformity over diversity and inclusion.