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Erik Lundberg
SVEN
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Book chapter

Det demokratiska utanförskapets geografi

2022Abdelzadeh, A., & Lundberg, E.I 100 år till, del 2 av 4, Demokratin 100 år – samling för en stark demokrati (Ku 2018:02). Stockholm: Elanders

What is this study about?

The study examines whether democratic exclusion has a geographical dimension in Sweden. Based on the socioeconomic conditions of different areas, it analyses how central aspects of democratic participation – political participation, social trust and political trust – vary between people living in different types of areas. The study thereby shifts the focus from purely individual differences to the question of whether democratic participation is also unevenly distributed across different parts of society.

What did we find?

The analysis shows that democratic participation is not evenly distributed geographically. Socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are characterized to a greater extent by several forms of democratic exclusion, where lower political participation coincides with weaker social trust and political trust. The results thereby highlight how socioeconomic and geographical differences can coincide with differences in people's relationship to democracy.

Why does it matter?

Democratic inequality is not only a matter of some individuals participating more than others. When low participation, weak trust and lower political trust are concentrated in certain areas, there is a risk that social and economic inequality also acquires a democratic geography. The study therefore shows why efforts to increase democratic participation need to pay attention both to individuals' circumstances and to the local contexts in which people live.

Citation

Abdelzadeh, A., & Lundberg, E. (2022) Det demokratiska utanförskapets geografi. I 100 år till, del 2 av 4, Demokratin 100 år – samling för en stark demokrati (Ku 2018:02). Stockholm: Elanders

Research area

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