Political intolerance in comprehensive welfare states: Evidence from Sweden

Abstract

Previous research has shown that comprehensive welfare states are effective at bridging ethnic divisions and promoting political tolerance of marginalized groups. Do these results hold up in the face of the great influx of migrants into European welfare states following the 2015–16 refugee crisis? In this case study of Sweden, we map the general level of political tolerance and test various individual-level explanations for it. Based on a survey of about 3500 citizens, our results show that the level of ethnic antipathy in Sweden is low. Other groups, however—such as supporters of the Sweden Democrats, a radical-right party—are widely disliked, as are abortion opponents and anti-vaccinationists. The individual-level explanations we have tested—in connection with threat perceptions, civic and political engagement, and socio-economic factors—turn up mixed results. Our conclusion is that the results we have found reflect something of a liberal-democratic backlash, whereupon a certain kind of political intolerance has become widespread.