The Welfare state in Sweden

Résumé du document

Since the end of the 20th century, Sweden is known for having one of the most extensive welfare states in the world. A welfare state is a social system whereby the state assumes primary responsibility for the welfare of its citizens, especially in matters of health care, employment and social security. Sweden has developed its welfare system on the basis of several fundamental principles. Among them are solidarity, economic, social and gender equality, participation and planned economy. Despite this, it has been criticized for its cost; but this system has often been admired around the world for generating both wealth and social equality. Some observers even speak about a 'Swedish model'. Thus, it seems interesting to study how this system has been created, how it has evolved throughout the 20th century, and what backgrounds have permitted its broad expansion. First, we will see that the idea of a welfare state in Sweden came on the agenda in the early 1920s, and a reform process started to implement it during the 1930s. This was permitted by a favorable background, notably the strong standing of the Social Democratic Party and the Trade Unions. However, in the second part, we will see that the most dynamic period regarding the construction of the welfare state started after World War II, since the scope of the reforms was enlarged and radical programs were implemented. This extending system revealed its first flaws and started to be questioned during the second half of the 1970s.

Extraits

[...] For example, the government undertook a housing policy. Government loans and subsidies supported construction and housing allowance was given to low- income family. These reforms were paid through sharply progressive income, estate and wealth taxes. Despite the Social Democratic government faced severe criticism from the non-socialist opposition and the business sector, the reforms were adopted in an atmosphere of political consensus. In the late 1940s and he 1950s, a narrower parliamentary support led the Social Democrats to formed coalitions with the agrarians, as in the 1930s. [...]

[...] During the war, the government was rebuilding as a Grand National coalition led by Hansson and its goal became to keep the country out of the war. When the war ended, the situation was favorable to implement welfare reforms. Indeed, the country enjoyed political and social stability, as well as a rapid growth until the 1960s. In 1945, the coalition was dissolved and replaced by a purely Social Democratic government. From that time on, further steps towards implementing the welfare state were taken. [...]

[...] Yet the Social Democrats were able to form governments in 1982 and 1985. They pursued policies of economic austerity and implemented reforms in the spirit of pro market liberalism. In 1991, a non-socialist opposition won the election. The Moderates advocated lower taxes, promotion of free enterprise and changes in various social benefits but the economic crisis continued. In the 1994 election, the Social Democrats had a good result. Göran Persson became Prime Minister and realized cutbacks in the social welfare system Finally, the Swedish welfare state developed persistently throughout the 20th century as a result of many decisions. [...]

[...] Their voter support was high and the opposition divided. This clearly dominant position allowed them to increase the scope of their welfare program. Together with the Communists, they extend what Erlander called "the strong society". According to him, the state should provide people with education, health care, pension and good living standard. For example, in 1965, the Social Democrats launched their "million program" to solve the housing situation. They planed to build units annually during a ten- year period, in order to absorb the demand four housing. [...]

[...] During this period, the pensions to retired people increased considerably, special unemployment insurance was introduced in 1934, all employees obtained two-week paid vacation in 1938, and aids for mother and young couples were granted. These reforms were paid by higher progressive taxes on income, inheritances and wealth. Participative democracy became also one of the aspects of the growing welfare state. In 1938, LO and the SAF (The Swedish Employers' Confederation) reached the Saltsjöbaden Agreement and, in doing so, decided to solve the country's labor relation issues by themselves. The agreement was the groundwork for peace in the Swedish labor market. [...]