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Navigating bureaucratic violence: A case study of Palestinian asylum-seekers in Malmö.

Amrhar, Zainab LU (2025) WPMM43 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This thesis deals with Palestinian asylum seekers’ resistance to Swedish bureaucracy. In the context of increased restrictiveness of migration policies and a larger Palestinian solidarity movement, the study explores themes of resistance. It aims to formulate knowledge on resistance in the case of Palestinian asylum-seekers in Malmö. To do so, this study utilizes Foucauldian governmentality, which allows for the adoption of the concepts of conduct and counter-conduct as lenses of analysis. Methodologically, this thesis conducts a document analysis of migration agency webpages on information for asylum-seekers to understand forms of conduct. The study also undertakes qualitative interviews with former asylum- seekers and employees in NGOs... (More)
This thesis deals with Palestinian asylum seekers’ resistance to Swedish bureaucracy. In the context of increased restrictiveness of migration policies and a larger Palestinian solidarity movement, the study explores themes of resistance. It aims to formulate knowledge on resistance in the case of Palestinian asylum-seekers in Malmö. To do so, this study utilizes Foucauldian governmentality, which allows for the adoption of the concepts of conduct and counter-conduct as lenses of analysis. Methodologically, this thesis conducts a document analysis of migration agency webpages on information for asylum-seekers to understand forms of conduct. The study also undertakes qualitative interviews with former asylum- seekers and employees in NGOs to further this understanding of conduct and illustrate resistance. This thesis finds that conduct operates through technologies of discipline, surveillance, and the self in ways that produce bureaucratic violence. Further, the study makes the argument that asylum-seekers’ forms of resistance are diverse. These resistances vary from direct displays such as verbal disagreements, to hidden resistance such as compliance or community building. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Amrhar, Zainab LU
supervisor
organization
course
WPMM43 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Palestinian asylum-seekers, bureaucratic violence, governmentality, resistance, asylum
language
English
id
9191261
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 13:25:36
date last changed
2025-08-08 13:25:36
@misc{9191261,
  abstract     = {{This thesis deals with Palestinian asylum seekers’ resistance to Swedish bureaucracy. In the context of increased restrictiveness of migration policies and a larger Palestinian solidarity movement, the study explores themes of resistance. It aims to formulate knowledge on resistance in the case of Palestinian asylum-seekers in Malmö. To do so, this study utilizes Foucauldian governmentality, which allows for the adoption of the concepts of conduct and counter-conduct as lenses of analysis. Methodologically, this thesis conducts a document analysis of migration agency webpages on information for asylum-seekers to understand forms of conduct. The study also undertakes qualitative interviews with former asylum- seekers and employees in NGOs to further this understanding of conduct and illustrate resistance. This thesis finds that conduct operates through technologies of discipline, surveillance, and the self in ways that produce bureaucratic violence. Further, the study makes the argument that asylum-seekers’ forms of resistance are diverse. These resistances vary from direct displays such as verbal disagreements, to hidden resistance such as compliance or community building.}},
  author       = {{Amrhar, Zainab}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Navigating bureaucratic violence: A case study of Palestinian asylum-seekers in Malmö.}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}