The objectives of this dissertation are to study the beliefs about immigrant minorities and immigration policy expressed in Swedish public debate and politics and to study how Swedish immigration policy emerged and took on its distinctive shape, from the first immigration policy initiatives through the resolutions on immigration policy adopted by the Riksdag in 1975 and 1976.

The dissertation shows, through studies of public debates, that equality gained unique status in Sweden. The public opinion surrounding Swedish foreign policy and the national discussion of the welfare projekt focused on equality. Equality became a discourse: especially antiracist, and anti-Nazi. The unquestioned point of departure for Swedish immigration policy in the early 1960s became to counteract discrimination and strive towards social and economic equality between immigrants and Swedes, which then included all political parties, significant special interest groups, and immigrants.

The equality discourse acted as a catalyst. It inspired minorities to make their voices heard. They demanded ethnic equality and therewith expanded the content of the discourse. Equality included during this period respect for everyone´s identity of origin. Soon politicians from all parties openly spoke of the need for state-supported pluralism.