Swedes and well-to-do people of all nationalities living closer to the center need not ever visit this district. So much the better to sustain the ‘playground narrative.’ On the other hand, the distance grants Rosengård residents space to avoid Swedish cultural norms, such as women’s equality and western attire, as well as at least some of the prying eyes of the Swedish government. This place is, by any definition, a parallel society.

Despite the challenges it faces, the U.S. is still the best option to help maintain the age-old balance of national identity and power.