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Erik Lundberg
SVEN
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Conflict-resolvers or Tools of Electoral Struggle? Swedish Commissions of Inquiry 1990–2016

2020Dahlström, C., Lundberg, E., & Pronin, K.The Quality of Government Institute, Working Paper Series 2020:3, University of Gothenburg

What is this study about?

The study examines how Swedish governments use government inquiries and what role the inquiry system plays in the political process. By analysing government inquiries between 1990 and 2016, it tests two perspectives: whether the inquiries primarily serve as arenas where political conflicts are handled and compromises are developed, or whether they are also used strategically by governments in party-political competition.

What did we find?

The results show that the Swedish inquiry system has changed in ways that weaken its traditional role as an arena for broad political negotiation. Parliamentary inquiries have become considerably rarer, while single-commissioner inquiries have taken on a more prominent position, and the participation of politicians has declined at the same time. The development points towards an inquiry system in which the government to a greater extent can control how political issues are examined, rather than the inquiries primarily serving as arenas for resolving conflicts between political actors.

Why does it matter?

Government inquiries are an important part of how political reforms are prepared in Sweden. If their function changes, this also affects where and how political conflicts are handled. A system with broad representation can create space for a shared understanding of problems and compromises before proposals reach parliament, while more government-controlled inquiries can give the government greater control over the preparatory process. The study thus contributes to the understanding of how changes in the inquiry system can affect both political decision-making and the conditions for consensus-building.

Citation

Dahlström, C., Lundberg, E., & Pronin, K. (2020) Conflict-resolvers or Tools of Electoral Struggle? Swedish Commissions of Inquiry 1990–2016. The Quality of Government Institute, Working Paper Series 2020:3, University of Gothenburg

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