The post Portugal Extremist Socialists Continue Persecuting Digital Nomads – Primitive Xenophobia? appeared first on Newstrail.com authored by Francisca Sequeira

The Blame Game: Digital Nomads Accused

Tens of thousands of Digital nomads have poured into Portugal, attracted by its stylish cities, stunning landscapes, and low cost of living. However, some locals are becoming disgruntled, blaming these newcomers for exacerbating the country’s economic woes. “Local people are really fired up,” says Guya Accornero to European newspapers. Accornero is a sociology researcher at the University Institute of Lisbon, fast becoming known for his socialist extremist views. “They aren’t happy at all.”

Economic Disparity: NOT QUITE A Brewing Crisis

It is odd to argue that digital nomads, earning significantly higher salaries than the average Portuguese, are considered a significant factor pushing up local prices. With a mere 16000 of them in Lisbon, a home ownership rate exceeding 70% and a population of 500 000+ in a country of 10Million people.  The housing market, in particular, has been deeply impacted, with property values doubling since 2015. This has led many to believe that Portugal is facing a housing crisis, fueled by digital nomads, tourists, and foreign investors alike. As the old saying goes, jealousy makes you nasty!

Environmental Impact: An Overlooked Issue?

The environmental implications of digital nomadism have also come under scrutiny. Catarina Viegas of Climáximo, an anti-capitalist collective, highlights that the significant air travel required by digital nomads contributes to a substantial amount of carbon emissions. The majority of these nomads are American and Brazilian nationals, requiring long-haul flights to reach Portugal, thereby increasing the environmental impact.

The Bigger Picture: Global Economic Trends

Accornero posits that the influx of digital nomads is merely the “tip of the iceberg” of larger global trends impacting Portugal. As one of Europe’s poorest countries, Portugal relies heavily on tourism, an industry that has largely been monopolized by large international companies. While this has injected cash into the economy, the benefits are often not seen by locals, fuelling resentment and leading to an increasing sense of exclusion.

Gentrification: Changing the Urban Landscape

The shift in population demographics, particularly in tourism hotspots like Lisbon and Porto, has led to a process of gentrification. Traditional residents find themselves priced out of the market as property values skyrocket. However, Accornero also points out some positives, suggesting that new arrivals have helped renew parts of Portugal’s decaying cities and forged “new urban identities”.

Home Ownership and Housing Crisis: A Contradictory Narrative?

Interestingly, Portugal has one of the highest home ownership rates in Europe. In a country where a large portion of the population owns their homes, it seems contradictory to point the finger at a mere 16,000 digital nomads for the housing crisis in a city as populous as Lisbon. Is it plausible that such a small group could drive the housing market to a state of chaos?

Xenophobia Disguised as Economic Woes?

It’s important to question whether the narrative is less about economic issues and more about a veiled form of xenophobia. Portugal, like many countries across the globe, is grappling with the dynamics of a globalized world. The influx of digital nomads is a new phenomenon, and it seems to be stirring up resentment among some locals.

Yet Guya Accornero, the sociology researcher at the University Institute of Lisbon, known for his socialist extremist views, seems to encourage this narrative of resentment. By pointing fingers at digital nomads, he might be simplifying a complex socio-economic issue into a palatable narrative that stokes fears of the ‘other’ – in this case, the foreign digital nomads.

A Preference for Vulnerable Migrants: An Economic Perspective?

It’s interesting to consider the different narratives surrounding migration. When comparing the sentiment towards digital nomads and other forms of immigration, it appears that some in Portugal and Spain may prefer migrants who arrive by boat from Turkey and North Africa with minimal resources, as opposed to educated “digital nomads” from Australia, The USA, South Africa and the UK.

The reasons for this could be multifaceted and complex. These migrants, often arriving by boat and seeking refuge, present little immediate risk of inflation due to their economic circumstances. Furthermore, due to their lack of local language skills and professional qualifications, they are more likely to take on low-paid jobs, thus not competing directly with the local workforce.

It could be argued that this preference is rooted in economic self-preservation. The presence of low-skilled migrants may be seen as less threatening to the socio-economic status quo than affluent, high-skilled digital nomads.

Furthermore, it could be suggested that the presence of these migrants does not pose a direct challenge to those who may be slower to adapt to the changing economic landscape. Until such migrants can access education and improve their professional skills, they do not compete directly with locals in terms of intellectual capital.

However, such a narrative risks oversimplification and stereotyping. Just as it is incorrect to blame digital nomads for complex socio-economic issues, it is equally wrong to pigeonhole migrants into certain roles based on their circumstances upon arrival.

A more inclusive approach would be to recognize the potential of all migrants, regardless of their background, and to foster an environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the economy.

Conclusion: A Convenient Scapegoat?

With an ageing population and a brain drain, coupled with rampant inflation, Portugal faces significant challenges. Digital nomads, attracted to the country by enticing visa schemes and false promises, find themselves becoming easy targets for blame. Yet, is it reasonable to attribute such deep-rooted problems to a mere 16,000 individuals? It seems that Portugal, like much of Europe and the West, is grappling with larger global issues that cannot be resolved merely by addressing the symptoms. The digital nomads may be an easy target, but they are far from the root cause of Portugal’s economic and social woes.

The narrative that the blame for Portugal’s economic woes falls on a mere 16,000 digital nomads in Lisbon appears to be oversimplifying a complex problem. While it’s important to consider the impacts of digital nomadism, it’s equally crucial to address the root causes of Portugal’s economic struggles, which lie far deeper than an influx of foreign workers.

It’s time to shift away from an us-versus-them narrative and move towards an inclusive approach that embraces the globalized world’s realities. Only then can Portugal, and countries facing similar issues, hope to achieve a sustainable solution.