Sweden presents an especially interesting case in the study of democratic erosion. How does a country that scored 100/100 on Freedom House in 2023 find itself at the forefront of criticism concerning right-wing populism? It would seem that regional conflict dynamics, populism, and xenophobia is creating new pressures for a historically resilient social democracy. Sweden, known for its longstanding commitment to democracy, boasts a remarkable track record, but things are not always as they seem, and it’s time to take a critical look at Sweden’s democracy.
The Rise of the Sweden Democrats
Against the backdrop of Sweden’s democratic legacy, the far-right Sweden Democrats party has gained prominence, riding the wave of anti-immigrant sentiments exacerbated by the aftermath of the Middle East refugee crisis and the ongoing crisis from the war in Ukraine. Surprisingly, they have ascended to become the second-largest party in the nation. This is particularly concerning because extremist parties in power create a sort of self-fulling prophecy. The electoral success of extremist parties not only reflects a shifting political landscape but also validates the views of extremist voters. This, in turn, fosters a dangerous cycle where more voters gravitate towards extremist ideologies.
Regarding ideology, the Sweden Democrats explicitly characterize their party as “nationalist” in their programs and manifestoes, a designation they have maintained since its inception. They consistently highlight their allegiance to the social democratic concept of the “people’s home” (folkhemmet), albeit with an acknowledgment that they interpret it through a socially conservative lens. Essentially, this concept encapsulates a comprehensive and publicly funded welfare state grounded in solidarity. This ideology is the basis for anti-immigration policies.
But how has this happened in such a democratic nation? The Sweden Democrats strategically align with center-right parties to consolidate power, marking a departure from traditional political alliances. In addition, radical political leaders within the far-right movement demonstrate a willingness to mobilize and radicalize their supporters. The power of persuasion and the ability to move voters towards more extreme positions play a pivotal role in their ability to influence voters. It’s striking that since the 2002 election, where the Sweden Democrats secured 1.4 percent of the votes, its performance has consistently doubled in subsequent elections. From 2.9 percent in 2006 to 5.7 percent in 2010 and a notable 12.9 percent in 2014, the party’s growth is unparalleled among European counterparts. In the most recent election, the Sweden Democrats won 73 of the 349 seats in the Swedish Riksdag; a whopping 20 percent.
The Problem of Islamophobia
The Swedish far right’s disdain for Muslims is framed as a cultural issue, distancing it from racism. However, the interchangeable use of terms like “Muslim” and “immigrant” reveals a shift towards racial discrimination. When interviewed, some people expressed concern about the volume of immigrants, emphasizing the need to integrate them into European culture to prevent perceived threats to Europe’s historical identity. “We’re going to cope with them, but we have to find the means to make them European in style, because in Europe, there have been people coming for millennia and they have all, so to speak, formed their own nations and their own societies. I think this time it’s a danger. These volumes [of people] are going to change Europe for good.”
It’s important to note that Islamophobic ideas are far from new. In 1990, the initial examination on Muslim perceptions in Sweden was conducted by Swedish professor Håkan Hvitfelt. The findings exposed a significant 65% of Swedes harbored unfavorable sentiments toward Muslims, with a mere 2% expressing positive feelings, while the remainder remained undecided. Notably, a striking 88% of those with a negative view of Islam believed that practicing the religion was incompatible with democratic principles. Additionally, approximately 62% of the Swedish population associated the hijab with the oppression of women. While these ideas might not be new, they are problematic, especially considering that “Sweden is in 10th place… in terms of the share of immigrants in its population, with the foreign-born accounting for 14% of the total population.”
3rd Wave Populism
Anti-immigration policy gained prominence for a small breed of political parties that merged an anti-immigration stance with strong anti-establishment rhetoric. These parties emerged in continental Europe during the 1980s and 90s, exemplified by entities like France’s Rassemblement National (formerly Front National). Initially small and isolated, these parties gradually garnered increased support and, in some instances, achieved political legitimacy.
What to name these parties has sparked intense debate. A notable suggestion gaining traction, particularly advocated by scholar Cas Mudde, is to label them Populist Radical Right. These parties are deemed populist because they perceive themselves as champions of the people against the political elite. Characterized as radical, they seek profound societal and political changes.
In democracy, advocating for policies that resonate with the people is crucial. However, a critical distinction arises in ensuring that this advocacy doesn’t deepen divides among various segments of society. While populism, at its core, can embody a collective voice for the people, the challenge lies in preventing it from evolving into a force that creates societal rifts, especially at the expense of marginalized groups.
In this context, the current wave of populism in Sweden demands heightened attention. Understanding the specific groups being targeted by populist movements is essential for grasping the potential consequences and imagining potential solutions.
The rise of far-right populism in Sweden is not an isolated case. It is, of course, part of a larger trend in the shifting landscape of European politics that has been moving towards the right. I am of the view, however, that the unparalleled growth of Sweden Democrats in terms of political support and electoral success against the backdrop of Sweden’s historically remarkable performance as a vibrant democracy is not necessarily aberrant. Nor can we readily conclude that they pose greater risks to democratic backsliding than their counterparts.
I argue that, in more ways than one, the Sweden Democrats may have actually enhanced Swedish democracy by increasing the political participation of its citizens that goes beyond just casting their votes. Moreover, its tough stance against illegal immigration could actually safeguard social cohesion and lessen societal rifts by limiting immigration levels. This also buys Sweden some time to fully assimilate immigrants into Swedish society. In the first place, the native Swedes are rightfully concerned about the disintegration of their way of life through fast-pace changes in Sweden’s demographic diversity. That said, these concerns have been translated into votes which, in turn, are reflective of Swedes’ policy preferences which are possibly but not certainly ideological.
Regardless, we can gain lessons from the experience of other countries that are now grappling with increasingly polarizing politics due to the rise of far-right actors. As in all democracies, tilting the balance in favor of one sector at the expense of another always engenders rifts and social discord.
While the rise of the Swedish Democrats may look concerning, there may be a chance that the party will die out once given power. Populists once in power, especially democratically elected ones, tend to under-preform the promises made to the people. Instead, they are better at shaping the policies of other parties, almost like third parties. Other central parties may pick up the Democrats tougher anti-immigration stance in order to gain more support from the Democrats supporters who realize the party is heading in a direction they do not like.
The rise of far-right populism in Sweden isn’t happening alone; it’s part of a bigger shift to the right in Europe. The Sweden Democrats gaining ground in Sweden’s strong democracy isn’t so strange. They talk tough on immigration, which stirs debate, but they might actually get more people involved in politics beyond just voting. Their strict views on immigration might be to keep society together and help immigrants fit in better. Swedes worry about the quick changes in who lives here, so they vote for policies they think will help, even if it’s not strictly about politics. Looking at other countries dealing with similar fights, it’s clear that favoring one group can cause big problems. But if the Sweden Democrats get power, they might not do everything they promised. This happens a lot with parties like theirs. Instead, they might make other parties adopt tougher immigration rules to win over their supporters.