The ideologial scale in Sweden – Consensus or sharp contrasts? Part 1

Election day is getting closer in Sweden. In September it will be decided if the current right-wing government will extend their time in power with another four-year-term. Or will the left/green-party opposition take revenge for last election when they lost after 12 years in office? Both will fight to form government and they will do everything to distinguish themselves from each other. The campaigning is getting more and more intense. Both sides are doing their best to portray their opponent as a worst case scenario and themselves as the only possible way.

In recent years, however, opinions have grown that the parties have become more and more similar to each other and difficult for the voters to separate between the sides. On the other hand there are people who claim there are major differences. To get to the bottom of these contradicting opinions, I decided to call someone who maybe can shed some light on this mater: Political scientist Jenny Madestam at Stockholm University.

- I do feel there is a difference between the two alliances (left/green and right). The latest suggestions for an economical budget point to that they both with concern for the welfare state. But the means to get there are different, Madestam says.

- The right-wing proposes cut-downs in the social insurance system which they believe pushes people to search for a job. The left wing wants to raise taxes in order to give people a secure income, she explains.

So, it seems that according to Jenny Madestam this is where the big difference lie – in the mater of politics regarding employment and economic compensation for the unemployed. But both sides claim they put great value into the welfare state – which was maybe not so clearly expressed from the right wing government a couple of years ago. The biggest party within this alliance, the Moderate party, won the last election probably because they launched a broader image to the voters.

- Prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has been good at borrowing messages and rhetoric from the Social democrats, says Madestam but at the same time withholds that they in practice have moved in a more social liberal direction.

This may be confusing to voters who might have a hard time to see clear alternatives to choose from. And Madestam also believe parties portray their opponent to give the voters just that – a clear “good” option in stark contrast to the other “darker” side.

- Maybe they exaggerate the differences between them. If you listen to the latest speeches you can get that impression. Its true there are two different ideological sides but its not a question of two completely different systems.

In part 2 tomorrow we will go more into detail and ask Jenny about the ideological standpoints and differences between the parties and not just between the two alliances.