The Oxford Handbook of Swedish Politics

Sweden signifies to many international observers a universal welfare state embedded in a capitalist economy, with high taxes and extensive redistribution of wealth. The welfare state is sustained by values such as equal standards, a strong public sector, legality, and redistribution of wealth. Many of these values have been challenged by cutbacks in the public budget, globalization, and the emergence of neoliberalism. More broadly, politics and political behavior are less exceptional today in international comparison than they were a few decades ago. Electoral behavior, institutional reform, and public administration conform these days to mainstream international patterns of change. Sweden no longer ranks as a top country on many indicators of quality of public service or indeed of well-being. Instead, the country has moved closer to the average of the OECD countries on most of these indicators. In the international arena, the previous policy of non-alliance and neutrality is challenged by EU membership, although Sweden maintains its position as an advocate for human rights and national sovereignty. However, in a global comparison Sweden still stands out as a wealthy country with extensive welfare services.