Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine whether non-profit organizations in the form of ethnic associations could contribute to greater political integration of ethnic minorities. tree questions sought to answer the aim of this study: “To see if memberships in ethnical contributed greater political integration and participation in society and politics?” “Have association membership contributed to increased political participation, as well as an increased interest in political issues? “And what measures for increased political participation and greater political integration has been made by the parish of Västerås in recent years? The essay was performed by means of interviews. The results show that a commitment to an ethnic association improves the possibility of integration and increased political interest.

The present study discusses the political integration of immigrants in local government in the muncipality of Växjö from 1971 to 1991 in the form of representation. The main data source consists of lists of people holding local commissions of trust in the various boards and committés appointed by the municipality council, as well as in the council itself. These data are then compared to population statistics from Statistics Sweden. Main findings of the study are that immigrants are insufficiently represented in relation to their proportion of the population. It is suggested that this is a result of structural discrimination and possibly insufficient socialisation.

<p>The present study discusses the political integration of immigrants in local government in the muncipality of Växjö from 1971 to 1991 in the form of representation. The main data source consists of lists of people holding local commissions of trust in the various boards and committés appointed by the municipality council, as well as in the council itself. These data are then compared to population statistics from Statistics Sweden. Main findings of the study are that immigrants are insufficiently represented in relation to their proportion of the population. It is suggested that this is a result of structural discrimination and possibly insufficient socialisation.</p>

The present memorandum outlines the structure, theoretical starting points and disposition of a thesis about the activities of Finnish immigrants in a Swedish local community, more specifically their political integration. The intention is to study the municipality of Katrineholm in the years 1944 to 1991. Previous research about the actorship of immigrants in spheres such as politics, labour unions, immigrant associations, educational associations and mass-education, as well as churches and religion, is presented to give an overview of possible areas connected to political integration that can be studied. The overview of previous research also covers local immigrant politics. The intended theoretical starting points for the proposed thesis are political economy and hegemony. The latter is intended to be investigated through its expression in the social relations class, gender, ethnicity, nationality and generation. It is suggested in this memorandum that hegemonies and social relations within a local political economy can be operationalised fruitfully in a study of political integration. Hence, theoretical viewpoints and definitions connected to political integration are also elaborated on. Methodologically it is suggested that quantitative and qualitative analysis be undertaken to study the sources that the thesis is intended to be based on. Sources such as documents from the exemplified activity fields are to be used. Also, it is suggested that oral sources such as interview be used. Another possible method is a research circle, if preconditions in Katrineholm favour such an approach. The conclusion of this memorandum is that no previous studies have been undertaken using the approach presented and further that few studies of the local political integration of immigrants exist. Hence, the proposed thesis will make a significant contribution to the study of immigrant actorship, political integration and contributions to the formation of social relations and hegemonies in a local political economy.