Mobilization against the use of the plant khat in Sweden

What is it about?

This article analyzes how Swedish newspapers have reported about the stimulant plant khat between 1986 and 2012. The analysis focuses on how representatives from Somali organizations in Sweden construct khat use as a severe problem and how arguments and choices of words are used to mobilize opinion supporting more societal response and stiffer punishments.

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Why is it important?

This article engages with a minor development of sociologist Howard S, Becker's concept of the moral entrepreneur. Instead of labeling those who mobilize against khat as moral entrepreneurs, I view moral entrepreneurship as an activity instead of an identity. The central point is to move focus away from a specific identity that characterises the actor and instead focus on the situational aspects of this specific type of initiative.