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Social democracy and the decline of strikes

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  • Molinder, Jakob
  • Karlsson, Tobias
  • Enflo, Kerstin

Abstract

This paper tests if a strong labor movement leads to fewer industrial conflicts. The focus is on Sweden between the first general election in 1919 and the famous Saltsjöbaden Agreement in 1938, a formative period when the country transitioned from fierce labor conflicts to a state of industrial peace. We use panel data techniques to analyze more than 2000 strikes in 103 Swedish towns. We find that a shift of political majority towards the Social Democrats led to a significant decline in strikes, but only in towns where union presence was strong. The strike-reducing mechanism is related to corporatist explanations rather than increased social spending in municipal budgets.

Suggested Citation

  • Molinder, Jakob & Karlsson, Tobias & Enflo, Kerstin, 2022. "Social democracy and the decline of strikes," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:exehis:v:83:y:2022:i:c:s0014498321000425
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eeh.2021.101420
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    Cited by:

    1. William Skoglund & Jakob Molinder, 2025. "Unions and the Great Leveling: Evidence from Across the Atlantic," Working Papers 0292, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    2. Gunnesmo, Marius F. & Hansen, Casper W., 2026. "Labor-market effects of introducing the 8-hour workday," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    3. Molinder, Jakob & Karlsson, Tobias & Enflo, Kerstin, 2022. "Social democracy and the decline of strikes," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Jayes, Jonathan & Molinder, Jakob & Enflo, Kerstin, 2025. "Power for progress: The impact of electricity on individual labor market outcomes," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-
    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects

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