Swedish Politics Exam

Question 1

How can the Swedish constitution be amended?

Answer 1

Two things need to happen:

1. There can be a referendum (at the demand of at least 30% of the Riksdag). A referendum regarding constitutional issues has never taken place earlier and if there’s a referendum it will be a binding referendum. For a referendum to take place regarding a constitutional issue, the Riksdag have to make a proposal. There needs to be an election and then after the election, the Riksdag make a call for a referendum.
2. The Riksdag must take two identical decisions and these decisions must be separated by a general election. This long drawn-out procedure is designed to ensure that the Riksdag does not take any hasty decisions that can limit people’s freedoms and rights.

Question 2

What type of referendum can be used in local government in Sweden?

Answer 2

Non-binding referenda only (114 between 1980 and 2014).

Question 3

What does the concept lobbyism stand for?

Answer 3

Lobbyism is an outside-in system. Increases pluralism and knowledge in society. The power of money. The act of attempting to influence business and government leaders to create legislation or conduct an activity that will help a particular organisation.

Question 4

What does the concept preliminary ruling mean?

Answer 4

• When the a court in a MS is unsure about how to interpret or apply an EU-rule, they can ask for a preliminary ruling in the EU Court of Justice.
• How to interpret the treaties
• About the validity and interpretation of the acts of the institutions, bodies, agencies, offices or agencies of the European Union.

Question 5

What does the concept corporatism stand for?

Answer 5

Corporatism is an inside-out system. Spreads democratic ideas in society. Tools are in the hands of the Government

Question 6

What is regulated by the principle of subsidiarity?

Answer 6

It aims to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen and that constant checks are made to verify that action at EU level is justified in light of the possibilities available at national, regional or local level.

Question 7

How is the President of the European Commission appointed?

Answer 7

The President of the European Commission is nominated by the European Council and approved by The Council. However, in 2014, each political party in the European Parliament choose their top candidate and the candidate who should become president of The Commission was the choice of group who won the election (EPP).

Question 8

How is the Prime Minister elected in the Swedish political system?

Answer 8

The Prime Minister in Sweden is proposed by the Speaker of the Riksdag and then voted on by the Riksdag.

Question 9

How is the President of the European Council elected?

Answer 9

Elected by The European Council by a Qvm.

Question 10

How is the President of the European Court of Justice elected?

Answer 10

The European Court of Justice elects its own president.

Question 11

Who appoints the Swedish ministers?

Answer 11

The Prime Minister does.

Question 12

Which institution formally nominates the President of the European Commission?

Answer 12

A: The European Council formally nominates.

Question 13

Who are the members of the European Council?

Answer 13

The 28 Heads of States of all the member states. Also, the president of the Commission and the president of the European Council (The High Representative can also participate).

Question 14

What are the major functions and responsibilities of the European Commission?

Answer 14

1. Exclusive right to legislative initiative
2. Keeper of the treaties: work closely together with the ECJ in order to make sure that laws and policies are followed by the member states.
3. Executive functions:
   - Executes the budget
   - Represents the EU abroad (high representative, on all “supranational matters” where competences have been transferred from the MS to the EU—together with the President of the European Council)

Question 15

Which are the two biggest political parties in the EP?

Answer 15

1. EPP (centre-right, pro-European party)

2. S&D (socialist and democrats)

Question 16

How does the EP hold the commission accountable?

Answer 16

• They formally audition and appoint the college of commissioners
  (Since 2014: they propose candidates in each political group and the candidate of the elected party becomes president of the Commission (informal procedure)).
• They can debate the annual programme of the commission
• They can force the college of commissioners to resign.

Question 17

What type of parliamentary government is the most common one in Sweden?

Answer 17

A parliamentary government based on the system of proportional representation.

Question 18

Which two political parties had the largest proportion of women in the Riksdag election 2014?

Answer 18

1. Vänsterpartiet (57% 12/21)

2. Moderaterna (52% 44/84)

Question 19

Which political party or parties are presently in Government (as of HT15)?

Answer 19

Social Democrats and the Green Party (support of the Left Party, essentially on budget issues, but no participation to the Government).

Question 20

What type of parliamentary government is ruling Sweden at the moment (as of VT16)?

Answer 20

• A parliamentary government based on the system of proportional representation.
• A minority coalition.

Question 21

When (at what point in time) was there more women than men in the Riksdag?

Answer 21

Never.

Question 22

What factors, give at least three, could work in favor of a relatively high representation of women in parliament?

Answer 22

• Participation in education and in the labour force.
• Legal- or party quotas.
• Social reforms such as Sweden’s obligatory two-months paternity leave.
• Contagion b/t political parties.

Question 23

DQ! Explain the main differences between supranational and intergovernmental cooperation?

Answer 23

• In an intergovernmental cooperation, the MS remain sovereign. There needs to be unanimity or a compromise (package deal) between the states when a decision is being made. The most traditional form of international cooperation.
• Supranational, you are not free to go your own way. If decisions are being done with Qvm, a country might have to implement something that they voted against. The member states delegate (on certain matters) their effective sovereignty to supranational institutions. Basically, if a country does not follow the legislation or laws, there will be a penalty.

Question 24

DQ! Describe how a government characterized by Separation of Power is organised:

Answer 24

• With SoP, no central part of the political system has the supreme power over the other.
• When talking about input, procedures have to be observed when decisions are taken.
• There is horizontal separation
• There is also vertical separation.
• Each institution represents different interests.

Question 25

Part of a DQ! What interests does the different EU institutions represent?

Answer 25

Commission: the executive, the interests of the EU.
Council: the legislative, the interests of the member states.
The EP: the legislative as well, interests of the citizens. Checks and balances -> so that not of these interests dominates the others.

Question 26

Part of a DQ! What is vertical separation in a separation of power? Give example from the EU:

Answer 26

Sometimes the regional- and local level can bypass the national level and work together at/with the EU-level through Committee of the Regions.

Question 27

Part of a DQ! What is horizontal separation of power? Give example from the EU:

Answer 27

That is, a separation of the legislative, the executive and judiciary.

Question 28

Part of a DQ! Talking about INPUT in a separation of power, procedures have to be observed when a decision is taken -> give an example from the EU:

Answer 28

• The treaties usually indicate which procedure must be followed about specific fields of policy.
• When the Commission makes a proposal, it MUST use one or several articles of the treaties. These articles indicate how the decision should be taken by the institutions.
• When the treaty doesn’t say anything, the ordinary legislative procedure (co-decision) should be followed. But there are special legislative procedures as well).
• Reason for this: in a SoP system, new laws must be adopted by a common accord between the Council and the EP. None of these institutions has supreme power over the other.

Question 29

Part of a DQ! Describe how the EU is organised by a separation of power:

Answer 29

Ex: The EP and The Council has to cooperate on legislative matters. You have the Commission that has exclusive right to initiative but they are accountable to the EP with its members appointed by the EP (the commissioners). The Council share the executive power together with the Commission. The Commission and the Court of Justice share responsibility on enforcement of legislation. In addition to that, you have the European Council that sets the political agenda but they have no actual legislative, executive or judiciary power.

Question 30

DQ! Sweden is well-known for its high representation of women in the Swedish parliament currently 45 percent in 2013. Describe main explanatory factors and discuss the role of political parties in contributing to gender balance in elected bodies.

Answer 30

There are both structural and actors-oriented explanatory factors.

Structural factors:

• Electoral system (PR)
• Has been governed by a left-party system for a long time
• A lot of women in the labour force and in education
• Social reforms such as paternity leave
• Secularism
• A gender equality culture

Actors-oriented factors:

• Party quotas
• Women’s organisations
• Contagion between parties
• Internal rules and norms within the parties

Question 31

DQ! What are some pros and cons with an electoral system based on the FPTP?

Answer 31

Pros:

• High likely-hood to have a single-party, majority -> don’t have to reach a compromise and will not waste time. It will be easier to get things done.
• It is claimed that the FPTP system creates a closer relationship between the voters and the elected.
• The claim that governments are not likely to provide an accurate match with overall preferences, but it depends on how polarized the party system is.

Cons:

• You could potentially have a party with 20% of the votes that win and rule the government. Similarly, you could have a party with 49% of votes that lose.
• Less representative government of minorities -> no feminist initiative would enter parliament for example.
• Less likely that a female will run in a tightly contested constituency.
• Less consensus politics.
• However, it’s not always true that minorities are not represented in a FPTP. Looking at Hillary for example, people think about her as the representative for ‘women’ and ‘blacks’.
• In the case of the U.S. -> the vote is either for the nuke-em-all-RIGHT (republicans) or the no-blood-for-oil-LEFT (democrats). A vote for the Greens is basically a wasted vote.

Question 32

DQ! What are some pros and cons with an electoral system based on PR?

Answer 32

Pros:

• Basically, more representative parliaments.
  Better representation of women and political minorities and of the different interests among the citizens.
  More coalition governments -> promotes consensus politics.
  PR-systems tend to have a higher electoral turnout.
  Less possibilities to manipulate constituency borders since there is more resistance from the opposition, more amendments/consensus on legislation.

Cons:

• It is more difficult to form a government, how to achieve a fair proportional representation-system (which mathematical system should be used?). A FPTP is, once again, more simple.
• Political instability with the PR-system, small parties may abuse their position in order to block legislation.

Question 33

What is vote of no confidence?

Answer 33

The Riksdag can force the Government’s or a minister’s resignation by making a declaration of no confidence.

• For a vote to be held: 35/349 people support the proposal.
• To declare the ‘no confidence’: 175/349 -> a majority must vote in favour.

Question 34

Part of a DQ! Analyse local self-government in Sweden. What are the three factors it is based on?

Answer 34

First of, local self-government is based on the subsidiarity-principle -> decisions should be taken as close and as effective as possible. 60% of the municipality agenda consists of EU legislation.

The European Charter on Local Self-Government points out 3 main pillars of local self-government:

(1) local self-government should manage a substantial share of public affairs;
(2) the right to have a certain amount of national economic resources allocated for their use;
(3) independent decision-making on local issues specified under the law.

From the National Perspective, there are once again 3 main pillars:

(1) local authorities may take any action related to their own circumstances (protected by the law);
(2) the right to levy taxes;
(3) demographic composition of territories through the planification of water and land.

Furthermore, any time the Riksdag is going to take a decision regarding the municipalities, there is a Judicial Review (another government agency aimed to protect the interest of municipalities) before.

Question 35

Part of a DQ! What limits self-government?

Answer 35

What restricts local self-government?

• The Government: The Government can restrict local self-government in multiple ways. First of, they can set their agenda provide frameworks for how to address these issues (2nd dimension of power). Government can also restrict financial support to the county councils and municipalities.
• The EU Local government can also be strongly affected by decisions taken in the EU. Many of the tasks of the CC and municipalities arrives from the implementation of EU regulations.
• Party Politics: Finally, the extent of local self-governments is limited by party politics. Many members of the CC and Municipalities are former and current members of the parties. The parties use informal ways to influence decisions taken on the local level.
• (Other things) The local government cannot engage in foreign policy, it would be considered unlawful (only things regarding their own territory).
• Furthermore, local governments are not allowed to run companies aiming for profit.

Question 36

DQ! Describe the main differences between how the local self-government is organized and functions compared to the national government and the EU:

Answer 36

• First of, the local self-government is divided into two entities: municipalities and county councils. Both independent from each other and pretty autonomous vis-a-vis the national government.
• The local self-government in comparison with the EU-level, is elected for four years and five years (EU). The threshold to access representation is 3% for county councils and municipalities. There are also differences when it comes to number of constituencies, additional seats (national level) and who is entitled to veto.
• The municipal- and county council elects, after DISCUSSION with the parties represented, the different committees, especially the executive committee. With that, government at the local level differs from the national level because it looks more like ministerial rule on the local level. Concerning the EU -> the Commission does not have enough administrative resources to carry out the tasks and thus it falls upon the MS administration.
• Another difference is the tasks they pursue. EU tasks are broad and apply to different member states, the national government deal with issues concerning the entire country but the local self-government have much more restrained tasks. For example, the municipality are in charge of the welfare state services and the county councils of the health services.
• Furthermore, the local self-government have the right to levy taxes which is a thing that the EU cannot do.
• The decision-making process differs. At the national level, decisions are taken through a majority principle clearly opposing the ruling side and the opposition while at the local government it is a much more consensual system. The opposition is often given seats in the committees and the councils, even if the ruling side often chairs the committees. Furthermore, local government decisions are based on compromise and bargaining which does not happen as much at the national level. The difference with the EU level is significant since the EU is based on a system of separation of power/pluralist system with checks and balances. On the local level, such a surveillance does not exist. The executive committee coordinates the bodies but each of them participate in the decision making process and there is not clear separation of power.
• Estimates show that approximately 60 per cent of the issues dealt with by municipal and county council assemblies are directly or indirectly influenced by European funding or decisions taken by the EU.

Question 37

DQ! Describe and analyze how the Government in Sweden controls the local-self-governments.

Answer 37

• There are some legal regulations. It’s written in the Local Government Act in the which defines the general competence clause. This clause says that local governments may take any actions regarding their own circumstances, but there are some exceptions: they may not take up activities that are given to another authority. For example, they cannot use local income tax to send Aid to an African country. All local income tax have to be on the citizens in the municipality. Local government are supposed to treat their members equally unless authorized by law. Finally, local governments are not allowed to run companies aiming for profit.
• Fiscal regulations. The local self-government have the right to levy taxes. What limits the local government to use these income taxes is that they have certain directives from the national government, mandatory assignments—and these directives have to be followed. In addition to that, local government activities are funded with state grants. State grants funds and subsidies according to the equalisation scheme. Government may freeze taxes (explicit objective not to exceed 30%).
• Task allocation: There are tasks that the local self-government have to do. For example, provision of the services of the welfare state, incl. primary and secondary education, child care, care of the elderly, health care, individual services, and cultural and recreational services. Recent years, devolution from the central level to the local (in particular to the municipal level).

Question 38

DQ! The central administration in Sweden is organized differently from the most other governments in the world. Describe the main differences and analyze the consequences.

Answer 38

Sweden deviates significantly from the rest of the world. It’s an old and own kind of system. We give quite a lot of autonomy to public administration. Civil servants in Sweden have tremendous power.

• There are 250.000 working in government agencies.
• We have rather small ministries but really big agencies.
• It’s a two-edged sword: Constitutionally speaking, the politicians cannot intervene in how the agencies conduct their business. They are not allowed to determine how agencies decide in particular cases. In contrast, the government have power over the agencies in other ways. For example, they can give power to other agencies if, for example, GD doesn’t listen. They can also sack the GD of an organization. Each GD are appointed for six years. If the GD is sacked, he will get his full salary and get other assignments.
• The agencies are doing a lot of implementation on their own, they are doing things in their own name. Therefore, the agencies are usually blamed when things happen.

Question 39

DQ! Describe and discuss the different election results when comparing the election to the EP with the election to the Swedish Riksdag?

Answer 39

• The turnout is lower in the European elections.
• Some parties do much better in the European elections than in the national elections (and vice-versa).
• Small parties usually do well in the EP-election in comparison with the national election. People usually like to vote ‘’with their hearts’’, on niche political parties or small parties. For example, the Feminist Initiative did not get a seat in the national election but it got enough votes in the European election. In addition to that, the Pirate Party also received more support in the EP-election.
• Bigger parties usually don’t do as well in the EP-elections.
• PR has to be used in all MS when voting for the EP.
• Questions regarding the environment usually do well in the election to the EP. Consequently, the Greens usually do really well in the EP-elections.
• The last election, in 2014, there was a higher voter turnout than in the previous EP-election. It could be because the EP-election was the same year as the general election for the Riksdag.

Question 40

DQ! In the EU power-triangle, which is the most important institution?

Answer 40

The EU is mainly about enacting legislation.

• There are three phases: initiation, legislation, implementation.
• The Commission has the right to initiative.
  Regarding the legislation, the Council and the EP are working together to make legislation.
• When the Council and the EP have come to a decision, the Commission in combination with the EU Court of Justice are working to implement the legislation (and the member states).
• It’s hard to say whether or not one institution is stronger than the other. It’s a matter of checks and balances so that none of these interests dominates the others.

However, the Council has a central part in the power triangle:
- Takes part in enacting the legislation (supranational legislation)
- Works together with the parliament
but sometimes alone (special procedures) on legislation.
- Takes part in the executive function (together with Commission).
- Takes decisions on matters of intergovernmental cooperation (together with the European Council) (ex: common foreign and defense policy).

Question 41

DQ! Pros and cons with referendum:

Answer 41

• Let people in on the democratic process.
• However, to give an example of when the people voted in favour of a decision but the Parliament did the opposite, is the example of right-hand traffic in Sweden. Even though approx. 80% of the population voted against it in 1955, the Parliament still implemented right-hand traffic in 1967.
• You educate people on the issues in question.
• Creates tension in society.
• Who’s going to analyze and take decision on the result? In the end, it’s the Parliament who makes the decision since it’s a consultative referendum.

Question 42

What is multilevel governance?

Answer 42

From the perspective of the local government, it concerns the establishment of relationships and networks that are both formal and informal as well as vertical and horizontal.

• For example, horizontally, local government A can establish relationships and networks with government B.
• For example, vertically, local government A can bypass the State A and talk directly with the EU-level in the (Committee of Regions).

Question 43

What are some important EU institutions and committees?

Answer 43

1. The European Court of Auditors (it can investigate any agency/institution at any given time).
2. European Economic and Social Committee (consultative body, bridge between Europe and organised civil society).
3. Committee of the Regions (assembly of local and regional representatives that provides sub-national authorities).
4. European Central Bank (responsible for the Euro and the monetary politics in the EU).
5. The European Ombudsman (this is were I would go if I had complaints about any EU institutions/agency).

Question 44

Where does the local self-governments budget come from?

Answer 44

• Approx. 62% income tax.
• The rest is mainly equalisation transfers + central state grants.
• Then also some fees.

Question 45

How many municipalities, regions and counties are there?

Answer 45

Municipalities (Gotland is a municipality with county council responsibilities and can also call themselves a region): 290
County councils: 20
Regions (extended responsibility for regional affairs even if they’re formally county councils): 13 + 1 (Gotland)

Question 46

What are the four types of sub-national public organisations?

Answer 46

1. (Many tasks, low representation): Central government generalist agencies (länsstyrelser)
2. (Many tasks, high rep): Local self-government bodies (landsting och kommuner)
3. (Few tasks, low rep): Central government special agencies

Question 47

What is an interpellation?

Answer 47

That is a question from a Riksdag-member to a Government-minister that is answered in the chamber of the Riksdag.

Question 48

Coreper?

Answer 48

• Coreper I and Coreper II.
• Coreper occupies a pivotal position in the EU’s decision-making system. It is both a forum for dialogue and a means for political control.

Question 49

What is legitimacy?

Answer 49

Politics is just as much about generating support (legitimacy) for the authoritative allocation that takes place within the system as it is about solving conflicts. For example, back in the days political leaders usually used Gods as a way of getting support (legitimacy).

Question 50

What is democracy?

Answer 50

Ruled by the people (demos) through its elected representatives. Equality in voting, right to express one’s opinion, (usually) majority over minority.

Question 51

Describe the governing chain of a democratic system and apply it on Sweden. Relate the concepts representation, accountability, control, effectiveness/efficiency. Problematize the model:

Answer 51

• (People -> Riksdag) Create a representative assembly that mirrors the opinions and social composition of people. The electoral system is often described to: have a trade off between a truly representative parliament and a functioning parliament.
• (Riksdag -> Parliament) Ensures that the executive (The Government) is accountable to Parliament. Theoretically, the Government can be accountable to Parliament in two ways: either because it relies on a parliamentary majority for its composition (and very existence) since parliament appoints and dismisses Government OR because Government policy is scrutinised and adopted by parliament. In many democratic regimes, both techniques are applied.
• (Parliament -> Public Administration) Government’s control of the public administration. In a democratic society, the civil service is expected to be loyal to its political master and it is therefore important that the Government has both the means and the power to steer public administration. In general, civil servants are supposed to act on behalf of the Government (or the particular minister they are working for) although a certain amount of discretion must always be exercised and the degree of ministerial control may vary.
• (Public Administration -> People) Effectiveness and efficiency, should ensure that the will of the people is properly implemented. On many occasions, the most cost-effective way of solving a problem is not necessarily the most politically correct one, not the policy preferred by the grassroots. In practice, policy work is a delicate mixture of ‘sticks’ (legislation), ‘bribes’ (subsidies) and ‘propaganda’ (persuasion) and many good policy decisions crumble as soon as they reach the implementation phase of the policy chain.

Question 52

How are laws made in Sweden?

Answer 52

• Initiative: Although most legislative proposals laid before the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) are initiated by the Government, some bills may be based on suggestions put forward by the Riksdag or by private citizens, special interest groups or public authorities.
• The inquiry stage: Before the Government can draw up a legislative proposal, the matter in question must be analysed and evaluated. The task may be assigned to officials from the ministry concerned, a commission of inquiry or a one-man committee.
• The referral process: When the referral bodies have submitted their comments, the ministry responsible drafts the bill that will be submitted to the Riksdag. If the proposed law has important implications for private citizens or the welfare of the public, the Government should first refer the proposal to the Council on Legislation to ensure that it does not conflict with existing legislation.
• The parliamentary process: Responsibility for approving all new or amended legislation lies with the Riksdag. Legislative proposals, whether proceeding from the Government or a private member, are dealt with by one of the parliamentary committees. Any of the Riksdag 349 members can table a counter-proposal to a bill introduced by the Government. Such a proposal is called a motion. If a motion is formally adopted in the Riksdag, the Government is bound to implement its provisions. When the committee has completed its deliberations, it submits a report and the bill is put to the chamber of the Riksdag for approval. If adopted, the bill becomes law.

Question 53

Hierarchy of norms:

Answer 53

(1) we have the constitutional laws (meant to be an emanation of the will of the people) (2) we have the regular laws (1 and 2 are made by the Riksdag) (3) we have the statutes (executive decision) (made by the Government) and (4) instructions (made by the public administration).

Question 54

What is Judicial Review?

Answer 54

A court with judicial review power may invalidate laws and decisions that are incompatible with a higher authority; an executive decision may be invalidated for being unlawful or a statute may be invalidated for violating the terms of a written constitution.

Question 55

What is Judicialization?

Answer 55

2 things:

1. The courts’ increased influence on the political sphere (supra-national courts).
2. The increasing use of a legal decision in decision-making process in sectors that do not belong to the legal sphere.