The Vertigo of Late Modern Migration: Applying Jock Young’s Criminology of Vindictiveness to Iranian Migrants in Sweden

Sammanfattning

Abstract In this thesis, I examine intra-migrant boundary-making in Sweden, focusing on Iranian migrants’ attitudes toward other Middle Eastern migrant groups. Drawing on Jock Young’s criminology of vindictiveness, this study situates othering within broader dynamics of ontological insecurity, perceived status positioning, and moral differentiation in late modern societies. The aim of this thesis is to examine whether and how relative deprivation and ontological insecurity contribute to othering, and how othering is translated into resentment and punitive attitudes toward other migrants. Methodologically, the study is based on survey data from 314 Iranian migrants living in Sweden. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate measurement constructs, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test theoretically derived relationships among the concepts. The findings support the proposed theoretical relationships and reveal a structured process linking othering to punitive attitudes. While relative deprivation and ontological insecurity were statistically associated with othering, their effects were relatively modest. In contrast, othering was strongly associated with resentment, and resentment emerged as the key mediator explaining punitive attitudes. These findings suggest that punitive orientations are primarily driven by affective mechanisms. Overall, the thesis demonstrates that boundary-making and punitive attitudes can emerge as intra-minority dynamics shaped by emotional and symbolic processes.