April 29, 2008

Rachel Willson-Broyles

Constitutional monarchy

Riksdagen: unicameral since 1970, 349 members since 1975

Proportional representation with party leaders

Often coalition government

Currently a non-socialist coalition under the name “Allians för Sverige” or Alliance for Sweden.

Prime Minister Fredrik ReinfeldtPhoto: www.moderaterna.net

The non-socialist (center-right) bloc

The socialist bloc

•Formed in 1904

•Ideology: Liberal-conservative

•Currently 97 seats (27%)

•Combating unemployment, crime

•Emphasis on free market, privatization

•Lowering taxes while maintaining the welfare state

•”More at work—more to share”—the coalition manifesto’s slogan

Campaign poster, ”Sweden needs a new workers’ party!”Photo: www.moderaterna.se

Election poster, 1936Photo: www.folkpartiet.se

•Founded in 1902

•Ideology: social liberalism

•Currently 28 seats (8%)

•”Social Responsibility without socialism”

•Pro-European Union

•Pro-NATO

•Pro-privatization

Founded 1913

Ideology: green social liberalism

Currently 29 seats (8%)

Originally the agrarian party

Pro-immigration

Pro-personal choice in the welfare state

Earth-friendly poster: ”Become smart about the climate.”From www.centerpartiet.se

Founded 1964

Ideology: Christian Democracy

Currently 24 seats (7%)

”Values-based” family-oriented policy: choice in childcare, care of the elderly

Lowering taxes while maintaining the welfare state, combating unemployment

Campaign poster, 2006: “Yes! We protect the family.”Photo: www.kristdemokraterna.se

Founded 1981

Ideology: Green

Currently 19 seats (5%)

Does not formally consider itself part of either bloc

Concerned with the environment and equal rights Campaign poster, 2006

Photo: www.mp.se

Founded 1889

Ideology: social democracy, functional socialism

Currently 130 seats (37%)

Association with the workers’ unions

In majority for all but nine years between 1932-2006

Instrumental in implementation of the welfare state (”folkhemmet”)

”Bli supporter” video from Social Democrats’

YouTube channel

Founded 1917 (split from Social Democrats)

Ideology: socialist, feminist (formerly communist)

Currently 22 seats (6%)

Opposes privatization

Opposes Sweden’s EU membership

Universal suffrage in 1919

Five women were in the Riksdag in 1921

Today, 47% of the members of the Riksdag are women

Mona Sahlin and Maud Olofsson are the party leaders of the Social Democrats and the Greens, respectively

Maria Wetterstrand is one of two Green spokespeople.

Mona Sahlin, Maria Wetterstrand, Maud OlofssonPhotos: www.riksdagen.se

Termed “folkhemmet,” the people’s home

“Welfare” as a positive concept

Social responsibility and equality

Supported by the major political parties, though in different ways

The Swedish flagPhoto: vastgotalandet.vastsverige.com

Emigration

1909: expanded male suffrage

Urbanization

Organizing workers

Suffrage posterPhoto: www.bgf.nu

Neutrality policy

Trade theoretically with both sides, but in reality largely with Germany

Cessation of trade, rationing

”Revolution” of 1917-1918

Political climate shifts from left/right to socialist/non-socialist

1920: first social-democratic government

Hjalmar Branting: first social-democratic prime minister

Instability—fifteen governments between the wars

Hjalmar BrantingPhoto: Wikipedia

Succeeded Branting as party leader, 1925

1928: Uses term “folkhemmet” to describe the ideal of a welfare society

Red-green coalitions (”the cow deal”) bring more stability

Prime minister 1932-1946

P.A. HanssonPhoto: Wikipedia

Models: Keynesian economic theory and FDR’s ”New Deal”

A ”middle way” between capitalism and communism

Financed with taxes and revenue from state-owned companies

Mixed economy: both state and private ownership

Combating unemployment

Some new benefits1934: Unemployment insurance1935: Pensions for the elderly1937: Support for new mothers

Housing loans1938: Two-week vacations

From Nordstrom, Scandinavia since 1500

Sweden declares neutrality, but must make concessions to Germany

Trade economy disrupted

Rationing in effect Power concentrated

in government Feelings of solidarity

lead to increased willingness to work for the common good post-war

Rationing coupons for coffee and teaPhoto: Wikipedia

The groundwork for the welfare state was laid:

Basic pension increased

Child allowances for all

9-year compulsory education

Health insurance for all

One problem: eugenics and forced sterilization

Book about the Swedish welfare society by Marquis Childs

Often considered to be the peak of folkhemmet

Expansion of benefits

The pension question

Immigration

The ”million program”

Apartment house in Tensta, part of the ”million program”Photo: www.arkitekturmuseet.se

The Welfare State was financed by taxation and worker and employer contributions.

The average citizen, in the 1960’s, paid 50% of income in tax. (Nordstrom)

Value-added tax was about 20%.

State-owned entities

”Liberal Sweden’s” reputation: sex, suicide, and socialism

Prime Minister Olof Palme spoke publicly against US involvement

Sweden granted asylum to some deserting US soldiers

The US recalled its ambassador twice, in 1968 and 1972

Palme (third from left) marches in an anti-war demonstrationphoto: Wikipedia

Economic slowdown

Oil crisis

Dissatisfaction with queues and taxes

Exodus of the over-taxed rich

Loss of support for Social Democrats leads to election of more conservative government Author Astrid Lindgren

with “Pippi.”Photo: www.ard.de

Charismatic, well-liked by the left and intensely disliked by the right

A controversial figure

Assassinated February 28, 1986

Murder unsolved, conspiracy theories abound

End of a time of innocence for Sweden

Plaque marking Palme’s place of assassinationPhoto: Wikipedia

Economic downturn, unemployment, inflation, low production, crime

Loss of confidence in Socialist bloc, Conservative government

Rise of smaller, more extreme parties: ”Ny Demokrati”

Neo-Nazi activity

The ”Laser Man”

News clip about the laser man Swedish Television, 1991

The Laser ManPhoto: Wikipedia

Reform without dismantling

Maintaining access for all

Decentralization

Privatization

Changes in benefits

Sweden has been having problems with waiting periods for elective medical procedures, despite more doctors in private practice.Photo: Dagens Nyheter

Paid maternity and paternity leave (up to 16 months)

State-sponsored childcare (dagis)

Allowances for children up to 16 (barnbidrag)

Dagis group in SwedenPhoto: www.kalix.se

Universal health-care, single-payer system

Nominal fees for service (SEK 80/day for an inpatient) (www.sweden.se)

Ceilings for yearly healthcare costs

Sweden spends about 9% of GDP on healthcare (the US spends about 15%) (Consulate General of Sweden)

Dental care free under 19; then subsidized

Small private market, about 10%

Various pension plans from employer and government

Unemployment insurance

Paid sick leave for self and children

Free education for all, through university level

Monthly student loans

Allowance for housing Library at the University of

Uppsala

The welfare benefits are paid for by a variety of taxes

Sweden spends about 29% of its GDP on public social programs (2001)

Income tax ranges from 0-59%

VAT is 25% for most goods and services, 12% for food and 6% for books

The general pension is 16% of income; 8% paid by employee and 8% by the employer

In comparison

The US spends about 15% of its GDP on public social programs (e.g. Social Security, Medicare) (2001)

Income tax in the US ranges from 10-33% (US Treasury)

Sales tax varies by state and sometimes county.

EU Membership (since 1995)

Unemployment (currently 6.3%; Statistics Sweden)

Abuse by citizens

Assimilation of immigrants?

A new self-serve Systembolaget storePhoto: Wikipedia

“Collective individualism”

A consumer culture with a safety net

Funding for the arts

The Swedish invasion???A communal music school groupPhoto: www.kulturskolan.varmdo.se

Any questions?