The truth about immigration

A conservative view is that a country can either have a sustainable welfare state or high levels of immigration. But that view is wrong. The fact is that we can achieve both a well-functioning welfare state and increased immigration. By using progressive taxes and government deficits to invest in making everyone in society feel good and function well, we can see effects such as improved research results also in technology, energy and medicine, reduced social problems, increased productivity, improved public health and reduced gang crime.

Immigrants are not a burden

It is true that some on the right view immigrants and refugees as a burden. But if we think about it, we see that the people they call a burden actually play an important role in society. When an immigration critic needs care, chances are a doctor she calls a burden will take care of them. As he gets older, he will often be taken care of by people he calls a burden. Even when he rides a bus or takes a taxi, he is likely to be driven by someone he calls a burden. The food he eats in restaurants is often prepared, served and washed by people he calls a burden. Even the premises and hotel rooms where he stays are largely cleaned by people he calls a burden.

Inequality increases social problems

Although history already since the time of the ancient Greeks shows that the more exposed the least privileged social groups are, the more socially problematic and criminal the more within these groups become. The Swedish experiment where they raised the 40-somethings from the very simplest socio-economic background to the fact that many of them became brilliant academics and a number of great CEOs, engineers and researchers shows the power of improving for them on the floor. And it wasn't just those from well-to-do backgrounds who were lifted. A great many Swedes have serious criminals from the 1800th century in their history. A famous singer had a father who was not much to show to the world, but the singer became one of our people's most beloved singers.

Good enough best

The research overview The spirit of equality shows that in more unequal societies more and more people become socially problematic. Then serious psychological literature shows that we will never be error-free. Even Nelson Mandela, Astrid Lindgren and Martin Luther King have skeletons in their closets. But if we invest in giving them basically tolerable and reasonably equal conditions and raise those with talent for brain work to such, we can build a highly productive and high-tech country where the vast majority are good enough.

To connect these insights with the content of The "migration myth" by researcher Peo Hansen becomes important to understand the real truth about refugee immigration and welfare. There is an accepted belief that immigration costs money and that refugees burden welfare more than they contribute in taxes. This has led to a restrictive migration policy. But according to researcher Peo Hansen, this perspective is outdated, incorrect and harmful to both people and government finances.

Immigration often profitable

Using the economic doctrine Modern Monetary Theory, Hansen shows that the Swedish reception of refugees in 2015 actually became an economic success story. Despite predictions of increased government costs and budget deficits, it turned out that the government made a surplus and paid off the government debt. The municipalities that handled the refugees also achieved record results. In addition, the refugees added a new labor force which, if properly managed, will mitigate demographic problems in the future.

Peo Hansen argues that the narrow view of government finances and constant government surpluses is wrong. He uses Modern Monetary Theory to show that a state with its own currency does not function like a household or a business. Instead, the state can create more money to make society work and meet its needs. It is about focusing on real resources such as manpower and infrastructure.

A more functional economy of necessity

It is important to discuss and challenge these economic ideas to enable a more functional economy and understand that money is not the real problem. The corona pandemic has clearly shown that politicians and national banks around the world are prepared to invest large sums to meet society's needs. This gives us a glimpse of a new economic thinking that prioritizes society's needs over the budget. Inflation after the pandemic was due to too much money being invested in saving stock prices and too little on production and the unemployed. The US has beat inflation faster using Modern monetary theory.

Austerity policies bring a future disaster

It is necessary to question the austerity policies that have characterized our society and that have resulted in closed borders and inadequate healthcare during the pandemic. In addition, we face the great challenge of adapting to climate change, which requires large public investments. To continue to believe in the dogma of "sound public finances" would be disastrous for our future.

It is time to reevaluate our economic thinking and prioritize society's needs over narrow budget goals. By investing in progressive taxes and government deficits, we can build a more equal and inclusive society. It is not only about accepting more refugees, but also about reducing social problems, increasing productivity and improving public health. The truth is that we can have both a functioning welfare state and a welcoming attitude to immigration. It is time to rethink and take the step towards a more progressive and sustainable future.

Further reading:

Hyperinflation in Weimar, Zimbabwe and Venezuela

It was not the welfare that gave the race of the 90s.

The right tries to blame post-Covid inflation on welfare and deficit policies

Preventive and repressive measures are not enough against gang crime and crime

No government deficits – society's unnecessary straitjacket