Sveriges demokratiska system (Sweden’s democratic system): our walkthrough of chapter 2 of UHR’s Sverige i fokus

What is democracy?

Democracy (demokrati) is a Greek word. It means that the people rule, in other words that power comes from the people. Residents get to take part in influencing the decisions made in the country.

This happens above all through elections, and the elections must be free and fair. In an election, voters can replace those in power and give it to other parties with other ideas.

Sweden is therefore a democracy. But a democracy only works if citizens take part in it themselves, which is why the chapter is so much about what you can do and what can go wrong.

What is a free election?

In a free election everyone who is allowed to vote has one vote each. Your vote weighs as much as anyone else’s, no matter how old you are or how much money you earn. Everyone must also be able to say what they think without threats or coercion. If a manager forces employees to vote for a certain party, he breaks that rule.

There must also be several parties to choose between. If there is only one party, the election is not free, because voters have no real alternatives.

Elections in Sweden are secret. This means you do not have to tell anyone how you voted. No one can demand that you show it, whether an employer, someone in your family or a public authority.

Voting is a right, not a duty. No one forces you to go and vote, and you have the right not to.

How can you influence society?

Voting is not the only way. Anyone may argue for their politics and try to get others to agree, and that applies to individuals, groups and parties alike.

You can, for example, demonstrate, contact a politician, join a party or an association, sign a petition or send a proposal to your municipality (kommun). At work you can have influence through a trade union (fackförening).

Schools have a task too. They are built on democratic values, so pupils learn about their rights, about how society works and about why it matters to vote.

Threats to democracy

One threat is lies and hate online, sometimes spread precisely to turn people against each other.

Another threat is aimed at people. Those who take part in public debate, such as a journalist or an elected representative, are sometimes threatened. Someone who is afraid may stop saying what they think. That is why society must protect people who speak out in public.

Voter turnout (valdeltagande) is a third thing to watch. One reason many stay at home can be low trust in politicians. Another is the feeling that your own vote does not matter. The fewer people vote, the fewer take part in shaping decisions, and the gaps in society can then grow.

Segregation and integration

Segregation (segregation) means that people live apart, for example depending on income or ethnic background. Integration (integration) is the opposite: people from different backgrounds live close to each other and feel that they belong to society.

When neighbourhoods differ a lot, services and culture can also be easier or harder to reach, and some neighbourhoods can feel unsafe. Someone who rarely meets people outside their own neighbourhood may come to trust public authorities less and feel less like getting involved in politics. In this way segregation can weaken democracy.

Two measures politicians often propose against segregation are language training and a mix of different types of housing in the same neighbourhood.