24. Local State-Society Relations in Sweden

Local state-society relations in Sweden are mainly channeled through networks for pensioners and those who are disabled, who are among the most well-organized welfare recipients in Sweden. There are also networks for national minorities and for immigrants, and Local Action Groups that were introduced according to the partnership principles initiated by the EU. Apart from these, formalized networks linking local government and civil society organizations in Sweden are rare, despite a strong tradition of corporatism at the national level, a system of local government with extensive functions and one of the most well-organized civil societies in the world. This seeming paradox reflects the strong position of political parties. Generally, civil society is expected to channel their views through the parties, rather than via separate networks.