Political resocialization of immigrants 1975-1976

The research project Political Resocialization of Immigrants (PRI) aimed to examine the political resocialization of immigrants in Sweden, with particular focus on political interest and participation. The overarching goal of the project was to explore immigrants’ relationship to Swedish society and the political system, their living conditions, experiences of the migration process, and the factors that may encourage increased political engagement. Furthermore, the study investigated political attitudes and behaviors, perceptions of political representatives and demands, as well as access to information about the Swedish administrative and political systems. The first major round of data collection was carried out between spring 1975 and spring 1976 through personal interviews. From among those who participated in this initial phase, a new sample was selected for follow-up interviews conducted immediately after the 1976 general election—the first Swedish election in which immigrants had voting rights. The initial interview covered a wide range of topics, including the timing of immigration to Sweden and specifically to Stockholm, the number of previous places of residence, language proficiency of the respondent and of any spouse and children, reading habits (Swedish and foreign newspapers), news consumption (Swedish vs. foreign sources), behavior in the face of potential unemployment, social networks and leisure activities, membership and level of activity in associations, knowledge of where to turn for help in various situations in Stockholm, contacts with public authorities, perceptions of key societal problems, interest in Swedish politics, electoral participation in the country of origin and in Sweden, comparisons between the current situation in Sweden and that in the country of origin across several domains, and perceived social status in relation to both other immigrants and Swedes. The interview also included questions about current and previous employment, education, self-assessed position in the social hierarchy in both the country of origin and in Sweden, as well as the religiosity and associational activity of both the respondent and their parents. In connection with the interview, respondents were also asked to complete a questionnaire. This included approximately thirty general statements and several items specifically addressing perceptions of their own immigrant group, all to be rated for agreement. The questionnaire also included a number of factual questions. The post-election interview focused on electoral engagement and experiences. It included questions about which election broadcasts had been followed on radio or television, participation in educational courses related to the election, which informational brochures had been received, attendance at political meetings, knowledge of candidates, voting behavior, perceived key election issues, political parties’ engagement with immigrant issues, attempts to influence others' voting choices, comparisons between Swedish and foreign political parties, interest in the election outcome, and the timing of the decision to vote—or not to vote.