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Erik Lundberg
SVEN
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Det statliga kommittéväsendets förändring 1990–2016

2019Dahlström, C., Lundberg, E., & Pronin, K.SNS Analys nr 59, Studieförbundet Näringsliv och Samhälle

What is this study about?

The study examines how the Swedish system of government committees and commissions of inquiry changed between 1990 and 2016. Through a mapping of government inquiries, it analyses, among other things, what types of inquiries are appointed, which actors participate and how the balance between politicians and civil servants has changed. The study thus examines whether the committee system's traditional function as an arena for knowledge gathering, political negotiation and anchoring has changed.

What did we find?

The results show a clear change in the Swedish inquiry system. Broadly composed parliamentary committees have become increasingly rare and have been replaced by single commissioners, while the representation of politicians has declined and that of civil servants has increased. The development means that the inquiries to a lesser extent serve as arenas where different political perspectives meet and compromises can be developed before the proposals reach parliament.

Why does it matter?

Government inquiries have historically been an important part of the Swedish model for building knowledge, anchoring reforms and managing political conflicts. When the composition of the committee system changes, this therefore affects not only how inquiries are organised, but also how political decisions are prepared. The study shows that a seemingly administrative change can have broader significance for the possibilities of political anchoring, compromise and a shared understanding of problems in Swedish democracy.

Citation

Dahlström, C., Lundberg, E., & Pronin, K. (2019) Det statliga kommittéväsendets förändring 1990–2016. SNS Analys nr 59, Studieförbundet Näringsliv och Samhälle

Research area

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