Immigration and ‘rathole’ countries (Why Norwegians don't immigrate to America)

Washington Times ^ | 01/17/2018 | Richard Rahn

[SeekAndFind]

Many people in poor places try to migrate to richer places — and so it has always been. But some poor places become rich places and immigration flows change as a result. There are many examples of “rathole” countries changing policies and becoming rich, and relatively rich countries becoming ratholes as a result of corruption and/or socialism (e.g., Venezuela).

If a country has an open-border policy as did the U.S. before the 1880s, then large numbers of poor people migrate to the richer country, which, at some point, causes resentment for both good and bad reasons among the native-born population.

After the Spanish introduced the potato to Europe, which they discovered in Peru, a number of northern European countries began to grow massive amounts because it could provide more calories on a parcel of land than any other food. The Irish became the most dependent on the potato, which enabled their population to grow rapidly.

In the 1840s, a “blight” struck the potato crop, leading to widespread destitution and starvation. Millions fled the Emerald Isle, often indenturing themselves to pay for passage. Because so many Irish were poor and uneducated, they were negatively stereotyped as “pugnacious, drunken, semi-savages.” Multitudes of cartoons depicted the Irish as small, ugly, simian creatures armed with liquor.

But most Irish quickly assimilated into the broader American culture and became successful in a variety of endeavors, to the point that most Americans are proud of their Irish heritage. Meanwhile, Ireland changed, going from a country of more than eight million in the 1840s to a country of 4.7 million today, and, on average, it has a higher per capita income than America. More than 33 million Americans claim Irish heritage, which is seven times the present population of Ireland.

[SeekAndFind]

President Trump asked why the U.S. was not receiving more Norwegian immigrants. The answer is simple — because of oil wealth, the average Norwegian is now much richer than the average American. This was not always so. During the 19th century, Norway (and Sweden) were hit with a number of crop failures, and were poverty stricken.

By moving to the U.S., the Norwegians could gain title (by homesteading) to much more productive land. From 1825 to 1925 approximately one-third of the Norwegian population moved to the U.S., a higher percentage than any country but Ireland.

[Sacajaweau]

First of all, it’s a small country. And they’re like the Amish....doing what they do generation after generation.

[Buckeye McFrog]

and, on average, it has a higher per capita income than America.

Regardless, I'm still glad my ancestors left to come here.

[ronnie raygun]

They are to busy serving the invading hordes

[WMarshal]

“By moving to the U.S., the Norwegians could gain title (by homesteading) to much more productive land. From 1825 to 1925 approximately one-third of the Norwegian population moved to the U.S., a higher percentage than any country but Ireland.”

I am 1/4 Swedish and 1/4 Norwegian and I can attest that the upper Midwest is infested with ‘em.

[albertabound]

NORWAY...population of Colorado and a land mass the size of Montana...

[kaktuskid]

The immigrant of today is an ingrate, who just comes to go on the welfare rolls, wants to keep their bizarre beliefs/religion/heritage and does not want to integrate into the American tapestry

[New Jersey Realist]

I don’t know why anyone of value wants to come here because Obozo left this place a shit country. We need Trump to bring us back to past glory. Stop the gravy train at taxpayer expense. MAGA!

[Dagnabitt]

I lived in Norway two times for a total of five years. Overall it’s a very nice place.

But the seeds of rot have been planted. Norway has had heavy immigration from sh-t holes like Pakistan and Somalia (and lately, Afghanistan). The capital Oslo, outside of the wealthiest parts, is being rapidly transformed. There are streets that look like Mogadishu (with better buildings). Immigrant gangs are clashing with another at shopping centers and the central train station. Most schools in Oslo are (or will soon be) majority non-Norwegian. Stories of sexual assault committed by the newcomers are starting to pepper the news.

But outside the cities, and still overall, the country is fine, and even with the rot that’s started they are way behind neighbor Sweden in terms of headlong national suicide. Their oil wealth also allows the government to buy its way out of some problems.

But looking forward 10-15 years: I think Norway is going to catch up to where Sweden is now and the world will hear less happy stories about the country and perhaps a few more of its native people will start heading for the exits.

[GOPJ]

I’m tired of taking in people ‘yearning to steal what we’ve worked for...’

Legal immigrants - yes. Illegals and their illegal relatives? No. No Way. Send them home.

[Damifino]

I believe I read an article posted here yesterday that indicated at the turn of the century a quarter of the workforce of Norway emigrated to the US....

Sad but I don't think the home-country workforce of numbers are really affected by who we are taking in now.

[familyop]

Most Norwegians like those of 200 years ago and before migrated out to countries like the States. Most of those who are now in Norway are recently descended from people who migrated from eastern or southern Europe in hopes of being perceived by us as being more like us.

[norwaypinesavage]

Bad headline. You emigrate TO another country. You Immigrate FROM a country.

[Dagnabitt]

Most of those who are now in Norway are recently descended from people who migrated from eastern or southern Europe in hopes of being perceived by us as being more like us.

Categorically false.

[Vision Thing]

So the natives want to stay in a non-sh|+hole country like Norway? No way!