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Rachel Willson-Broyles April 29, 2008 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 Reinfeldt Photo: 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 •Founded in 1902 •Ideology: social liberalism •Currently 28 seats (8%) •”Social Responsibility without socialism” •Pro-European Union •Pro-NATO •Pro-privatization Election poster, 1936 Photo: www.folkpartiet.se 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” familyoriented 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 Olofsson Photos: 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 flag Photo: vastgotalandet.vastsverige.com Emigration 1909: expanded male suffrage Urbanization Organizing workers Suffrage poster Photo: 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 socialdemocratic government Hjalmar Branting: first social-democratic prime minister Instability—fifteen governments between the wars Hjalmar Branting Photo: 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 P.A. Hansson Photo: Wikipedia Prime minister 1932-1946 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 1934: 1935: 1937: 1938: Some new benefits Unemployment insurance Pensions for the elderly Support for new mothers Housing loans 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 tea Photo: Wikipedia The groundwork for the welfare state was laid: Book about the Swedish welfare society by Marquis Childs Basic pension increased Child allowances for all 9-year compulsory education Health insurance for all One problem: eugenics and forced sterilization 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 demonstration photo: 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 assassination Photo: 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” The Laser Man Photo: Wikipedia News clip about the laser man Swedish Television, 1991 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 Sweden Photo: 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 store Photo: Wikipedia “Collective individualism” A consumer culture with a safety net Funding for the arts The Swedish invasion??? A communal music school group Photo: www.kulturskolan.varmdo.se Any questions?