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Resolving the dilemma between equality and liberty: the Swedish political system

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  • Nathalie BLANC-NOEL

    (University of Bordeaux 4, France)

Abstract

Swedish democracy ranks very high in international democracy indexes. It fascinates political scientists from all over the world because it seems to have resolved a fundamental political dilemma: the choice between equality and liberty, without the historical inconvenient of regimes which favoured too much equality - but killed liberty, or regimes which favoured liberty - but failed to make citizens equal... The "'egalitarian pluralism" practiced in Swedish political system is rooted in a specific political culture. This culture has opted for popular sovereignty and comes from the ancient peasant society. Lutheran values and the absence of feudalism paved the way to the search for equality and the edification of a strong State. In the 20th century, the Social-democrats endorsed the traditional Swedish values and prolonged them in the so-called Swedish model, with social policies allowing more equality along with more individual autonomy. Nowadays, the model is evolving, coping with globalization, and the definition of equality is under discussion.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie BLANC-NOEL, 2013. "Resolving the dilemma between equality and liberty: the Swedish political system," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 4, pages 25-40, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:jes:journl:y:2013:v:4:p:25-40
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    File URL: http://ejes.uaic.ro/articles/EJES2013_0401_BLA.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:dau:papers:123456789/13775 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Tilton, Timothy A., 1974. "The Social Origins of Liberal Democracy: The Swedish Case," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 68(2), pages 561-571, June.
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    6. Andreea-Oana Iacobuță & Mihaela Ifrim, 2020. "Welfare Mentality as a Challenge to European Sustainable Development. What Role for Youth Inclusion and Institutions?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-25, April.

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