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Erik Lundberg
SVEN
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Peer-reviewed article

No More Political Compromise? Swedish Commissions of Inquiry 1990–2016

2021Dahlström, C., Lundberg, E., & Pronin, K.Scandinavian Political Studies

What is this study about?

The study examines how the Swedish system of committees and commissions of inquiry changed between 1990 and 2016. By mapping the composition of government inquiries, it analyses, among other things, the development of parliamentary commissions and single-commissioner inquiries, as well as the participation of politicians, civil servants and other actors. The study thus asks whether the inquiry system's traditional role as an arena for political negotiation, compromise and consensus-building has changed.

What did we find?

The study shows how the Swedish system of commissions of inquiry changed between 1990 and 2016. Broadly composed parliamentary commissions became increasingly rare and were largely replaced by single commissioners, while the representation of politicians declined and that of civil servants increased. The change means that the commissions to a lesser extent serve as arenas where political conflicts can be handled and compromises developed before the issues reach parliament.

Why does it matter?

Government inquiries are not only about producing knowledge bases. Historically, they have also been part of the Swedish political model's way of anchoring reforms, managing conflicts and creating compromises between political actors. When fewer politicians meet in joint inquiries, some of this work may instead be shifted to later parts of the decision-making process. The study therefore shows how changes in a seemingly administrative institution can matter for how political decisions are prepared, anchored and negotiated in Swedish democracy.

Citation

Dahlström, C., Lundberg, E., & Pronin, K. (2021) No More Political Compromise? Swedish Commissions of Inquiry 1990–2016. Scandinavian Political Studies 44(4) 416–440

Research area

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