How is solidarity achieved in highly diverse societies - particularly those that have been
until recently characterized by rather homogeneous populations? What are the implications of
growing levels of diversity on existing social arrangements? These two fundamental questions
are explored in this edited collection which examines the challenges of minority integration
in four Nordic countries: Denmark Finland Norway and Sweden. These nations represent
paradigmatic examples of social democratic welfare states that place a premium on a robust
package of social rights combined with policies aimed at reducing levels of class-based
inequality and promoting gender equity. All four of these nations have witnessed growing levels
of diversity due to immigration and three of them have been forced to rethink their policies
concerning the indigenous Sámi as well as old minority groups. Two introductory chapters by
Thomas Hylland Eriksen and Peter Kivisto serve as a conceptual framework for the seven case
studies that follow and which from a variety of perspectives and with differing emphases
analyze the evolving realities in these nations today. Taken together they offer evidence of
the critical issues surrounding attempts to achieve solidarity while valorizing diversity.
