Concerns Mount Over Sweden's Democratic Backslide
Analysis highlights Sweden's declining democratic values and shrinking civil society.
Key Points
- • Sweden's democracy faces significant decline with a marked increase in authoritarian tendencies.
- • 71% of the global population lives under authoritarian regimes, a rise from 48% a decade ago.
- • Funding for civil organizations in Sweden has been cut by 30%, affecting civic engagement.
- • Civil society leaders express concerns about exclusion from political processes.
In a troubling reflection on the state of democracy in Sweden, Clara Knäpper Bohman brings attention to a significant decline in democratic values and civil society participation. Bohman notes that globally, the percentage of people living under authoritarian regimes has surged to 71%, a substantial rise from 48% a decade ago, raising alarms about Sweden's own trajectory towards similar authoritarianism.
Recent legislative changes in Sweden have raised concerns that the nation is now being included in reports on violations of human rights and freedoms. Civil society organizations have been particularly vocal regarding their exclusion from policymaking processes, expressing frustration over being sidelined under the current government. The funding for these civic groups has decreased drastically by 30% for folkbildning, which encompasses adult education, leading to the closure of essential spaces for community engagement.
Bohman cites leaders from civil society, such as Johanna Wallin from Palestinian groups and Henrik Halvardsson from CONCORD, who assert that this reduction in financing severely undermines democratic participation. This shift towards skepticism and criminalization of civic activities reflects a broader societal change that threatens the very fabric of democracy in Sweden. Although the nation has not reached the repressive levels seen in countries like Poland or Hungary, the cumulative impact of seemingly innocuous laws is in jeopardy of eroding trust and social cohesion.
Bohman calls for recognition and resistance against these encroachments, emphasizing the critical role civil society plays in maintaining democracy and social trust.