1. Sweden

2. Swedish Values and Political Philosophy:
Social Democracy:
Key difference from communism is the liberal belief in gradual change rather than revolution
Core Values:
Compassion and Collective Responsibility
All individuals have a moral and collective responsibility to help others in need
Democracy
People should be encouraged to participate actively in government and have the freedom of choice
Freedom and Tolerance
People have the right to express themselves and to explore personal values
Social Equality
Equal and universal access to social programs, redistribution of wealth through progressive taxation, and a mixed economy
Private enterprise is important to promote growth in the economy, but this growth is not stable without significant government intervention and public enterprise
Collective social action (welfare state)
Government funded social programs that will raise the standard of living as well as quality of life

3. Political Spectrum Sweden
Reactionary
Radical
Liberal
Conservative
Left
Centre
Right
Centre Party
Promote the interest of the Swedish farmers
Left Party
Communist party including violent change
Limited support
Christian Democrats
Attempted to deal with economic problems with a ‘Christian’ philosophy
Liberal Party
Has changed policies with the changing economic realities
Green Party
Environmental party
Social Democrat Party
Reforms and peaceful changes
Have held power sporadically form the 1950s
Moderate Party
Former conservative party
Main Right wing party
Generally conservative economic policies
New Democracy
Neo-conservative beliefs
Socialist Block
Non Socialist Block

4. Swedish Political System:
Parliamentary Democracy
Executive
Monarch
Represents the country
Cannot participate in political affairs or be a member of the government
Prime Minister
Head of government and accountable to the Riksdag
The speaker of the Riksdag chooses the PM who must then win a majority of votes in the Riksdag
Appoints cabinet, government officials, and judges
Determines government policies and submits them to Parliament
Legislative
Riksdag
Any decision in this body must be made with the approval of the majority of the members
Political parties that can keep the majority of votes stay in power
If they cannot then the speaker asks the other leaders of the political parties to form a majority
Judicial
Supreme Court
Five appointed members (serve until 65 or removed)
Are able to determine if a law is constitutional or not

5. Administer and implement laws
JUDICIARY
EXECUTIVE
LEGISLATURE
Monarch
Advises
Appoints
judges
Riksdag
Responsible to
Prime Minister
Cabinet
Riksdag
Supreme Court
Responsible to
Decide
policy
Responsible to
Government
Ministries
Other Courts
Administer and implement laws
Feedback
Decide
cases
VOTERS

6. Passing a Bill: Prelegislative Process
Lots of debate and discussion before a bill ever makes it to Parliament
The system is based on consensus, simply due to the nature of the system, rarely does any party hold a majority of votes
This means that for legislation to pass it must have the support of more than one party
Generally this means that contentious bills do not get passed and that there will be lots of changes to a bill before it becomes law

7. Elections and Voting: Electoral System: Preferential voting
Sweden is divided into 29 multimember constituencies
310 members are elected from these
39 seats are allocated based on popular vote (by party)
Preferential voting
Voters can also signify which party they prefer by marking this on their ballot

8. The Swedish Economic System

9. Brief Economic History:
Limited Intervention ( )
Economy was based on the export of goods and services
This changed with the Depression and the erection of high tariff walls world wide as nations attempted to stabilize their economies
German rearmament rapidly expanded the economy
Building Social Democracy ( )
During WWII Sweden had to impose price controls and production quotas
1944 the Social Democrats created the socialist society in Sweden
Comprehensive plan: free healthcare, pension, sick pay, and graduated taxation to pay for the system s
Best time in the economy huge exports, socialist policies strongly supported in this time period
European recession triggers a crisis in Sweden
Economic Crisis and Change ( )
A non-socialist government takes power and looks to fix the economic problems
Decrease in government spending and attempts to attract investors and trading partners
Return of the socialists
Major tax cuts and a move towards a more market economy (relative)
European Integration (1991-Present)
What looked to be a severe rescission prompted Sweden to examine a role in the EU
Divide the nation
The Swedish population finally voted (by majority) to join in 1994

10. Swedish Economy: Private Sector Consumers Business Enterprise
Largest and most influential group in the economy
Business Enterprise
Cooperatives
1/3 of population members of cooperatives profit sharing and increases buying power
Corporate Sweden
Large corporations dominate the economy

11. Swedish Economy: Public Sector: Fiscal Policy Monetary Policy
Maintain full employment
Progressive taxation (depending on time period)
Monetary Policy
Neoconservative policies especially within the bank post 1980
Indicative planning
Meeting with all members of the economy to determine the goals of the economy (all levels of the government and economy)
As a result of this system Sweden has one of the most peaceful labor records of any Western nation
Collective bargaining
Co-Determination and collective ownership
These actions gave greater voice to employees to all aspects of the Swedish economy

12. The ‘Cradle to Grave Welfare State’
The Swedish Government provides comprehensive social services such as:
Free prenatal care
Maternity and paternity benefits
Free daycare and nursery schools
Family allowances
Free lunches for older children
Free university education
Free medical and dental care
Subsidized lunches and bus passes
Guaranteed 5 weeks paid vacation per year
Pensions tied to the cost of living

13. The Cost
In order to pay for these benefits Swedes pay the highest taxes of any industrialized nations
Steep progressive taxes
The more money you make the more you pay in taxes
60-80%

14. Conclusion:
This system has provided Sweden with the highest standard of living in the world
Low levels of both unemployment and inflation have been sustained
1982 the Swedish economy experienced a drastic downturn (economic recession)
The Third Way

15. The Third Way:
This programs main goal was to keep unemployment and inflation in check and institute tax reforms
Government created new jobs, instituted retraining programs and increasing worker mobility (attempt to keep workers in touch with the job market)
Unemployed workers can lose benefits if they refuse a job or retraining
The government stopped funding for companies who were not successful
Tax reforms have abolished some deductions set the top rate at 60% and provide incentives to save
Unlike any other nation Sweden has had the chance to experiment safely with socialism