The "ac" code is for "adequacy-confidence"--a
data
quality measure ranging from 0 (low) to 9
(high)
Party Name and Code Number
Swedish Social Democratic Labor Party,
241
Sveriges Socialdemokratiska
Arbetareparti
Information Base and
Researchers
The information base for party politics in
Sweden consists of 575 pages from 35 Documents, with 275 pages or
48 percent pertaining to the Social Democratic Labor Party. Jean
Jacobsohn indexed the literature for retrieval. Eve Harris coded
the variables.
Institutionalization Variables,
1.01-1.06
1.01 Year of Origin and 1.02 Name
Changes
1889, AC9
0, AC9
The national organization of the Social
Democrats was formed in 1889. The first Social Democratic
representative was elected to the Riksdag in 1896, when the
party's leader, Hjalmar Branting won a seat. As a result
of
universal male suffrage in 1909, the Social
Democrats emerged as the largest party in the lower house of the
Riksdag 1914. There have been no changes in the party's name since
its inception.
1.03 Organizational
Discontinuity
0, AC9
It appears that no splits or mergers or any
consequence occurred during our time period.
1.04 Leadership Competition
5, AC8
Branting remained party leader until his
death in 1925. He was succeeded by per Albin Hansson, who held the
post until his death in 1946. Tage Erlander replaced him and
remained the chairman of the party throughout our time period. Our
consultant advises that selection of the party chairman is
formally the prerogative of the party congress. The chairman need
not be chosen from among the members of
the national executive committee. In any event,
there were few challenges to the established leadership during our
time period.
1.05 / 2.05 Legislative Instability and
Strength
Instability is .01, AC8
Strength is .48 for 1st half, AC7, and .48
for 2nd half, AC9
While the Social Democrats always were the
dominant party in the Riksdag during our time period--never
holding less than 46 percent of the seats - they
never had a clear majority, falling just short with 49 percent of
the seats both at the beginning and end
of our period.
1.06 / 2.06 Electoral Instability and
Strength
Instability is .02, AC8
Strength is .45 for 1st half, AC8, and .47
for 2nd half, AC9
In the elections of 1952, 1956, 1958, and
1960, the Social Democrats never won less than 44 nor more than 48
percent of the votes.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 Government Discrimination 0 for 1st
half, AC6
0 for 2nd half, AC6
Viewed from a cross-national perspective,
the Social Democrats seem not to have taken any special advantage
of their long period in the government to discriminate against
other parties. It has not taken action to ban the Communist Party,
nor is there much thought Given to the possibility, which is
viewed as both impractical and undemocratic.
2.02 Governmental Leadership
7 out of 7 for 1st half, AC9
6 out of 6 for 2nd half, AC9
Except for very briefly in 1936, the Prime
Minister of Sweden was a Social Democrat since 1932. This position
was held by Tage Erlander throughout our time period.
2.03 Cabinet Participation
7 out of 7 for 1st half, AC9
6 out of 6 for 2nd half, AC9
From 1951 to 1957, the Social Democrats
shared power with the Agrarian (later the Center) Party in a
coalition government. The rest of the time the Social Democrats
governed alone.
2.04 National Participation
6 for 1st half, AC6
6 for 2nd half, AC6
The Social Democrats were described in the
literature as a national party with strength throughout the
country, and it would seem so from the continued strong showing of
the party at the polls. But it is clear that the party has more
success in the industrialized areas than in the rural areas,
although it is not clear how much difference in success there is,
for there was no breakdown of election returns by areas in the
file. (the Communist Party has its greatest strength in the
North.)
2.07 Outside Origin
10, AC5
According to an official document of the
Social Democratic Labor Party, the party began in 1889 at a
convention attended by 49 representatives of 69 organizations
across Sweden. Most of the organizations represented were
trade unions, but there were some political
associations, a charity organization, and a temperance society as
well. Because some of the major figures
in the founding of this party had been jailed or were headed to
jail for their activities, the party is
given a compromise score of 10, reflecting both
its organizational roots and the outlawed status of its
leaders.
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 Ownership of Means of
Production
3, AC9
Nationalization of basic industries was
accomplished under Social Democratic governments, but the party
has stopped short of pushing for total nationalization of
industry, recognizing that private enterprise has a definite place
in the economy. At least during the first part of our time period,
the Farmer Party in coalition with the Social Democrats served to
dull the edge of pressure for further nationalization.
5.02 Government Role in Economic
Planning
3, AC5
Rather than directing the economy through
master plans that prescribe industrial production and control
consumption, the party has promoted its considerable
economic planning through more indirect ways, e.g., restructuring
taxes to encourage and discourage investment and production in the
private sector of the economy.
5.03 Redistribution of Wealth
3, AC7
The Social Democrats had as part of their
platform the leveling of differences in income. This they have
largely accomplished through both a progressive
income tax structure and severe estate taxes. It appears also that
The government did promote the break-up of large estates under the
Social Democrats. Thus while the party relied mainly on taxation
to accomplish the redistribution of wealth, their policies were so
complete and pronounced as to warrant the higher code.
5.04 Social Welfare
5, AC9
Numerous programs that used state resources
to provide social benefits were part of the Social Democratic
program and were enacted into law. The party backed compulsory
participation programs for pensions, old-age payments, and health
insurance. It also embarked on long range public housing
programs.
5.05 Secularization of Society
0, AC8
Early in their history, the Social
Democrats were opponents of the State Church, but during our
period they made no reference to religion in their
program, and they did not advocate changing the
status of the Lutheran Church. There is also some organized
religious activity among some party members, which is officially
neutral on the subject.
5.06 Support of the Military
3, AC7
Once distinctly anti-military, the Social
Democrats have taken to a policy of armed neutrality. The Chinese
support of North Korea in the Korean War brought increased defense
expenditures, and defense costs were borne as a
matter of perceived necessity during our time
period.
5.07 Alignment with East-West
Blocs
0, AC7
The firm policy of the Social Democrats is
one of neutrality, or freedom from alliances. If the party leaned
away from this stance during our time period (prior to the Vietnam
War), it was certainly in the direction of the West, but Sweden's
position near the Soviet Union has helped it to hold to its
position of strict neutrality.
5.08 Anti-Colonialism
0, AC3
The issue of colonialism or foreign
domination had not figured in Swedish affairs for years. The
literature does not discuss the Social Democrats' view of
anti-colonialism as it might apply to other countries of the world
during our time period. Our consultant notes, however, that the
party has been vigorously anti-colonial since the middle of the
1960s.
5.09 Supranational Integration
1, AC7
Under Social Democratic leadership, Sweden
entered the Nordic Council and EFTA, but the Social Democrats were
far more cautious about entrance into EEC than were the Liberals
and Conservatives.
5.10 National Integration
1, AC3
Most of the literature states that there is
no distinctive politicization of regions or minorities in Sweden,
but one source says that parts of the North and some of the Finn
and Lapp minorities are more likely to vote for communist. It
appears that there is no special effort by the Social Democrats
-who can be equated with the government--to impose national
cultural values on these minorities.
5.11 Electoral Participation
5, AC9
Under Social Democratic governments, the
voting age was lowered from 23 to 21 in 1945, and a later proposal
was made by the government after our time period to lower the
voting age to 19. Other restrictions on voting were also
eliminated by Social Democratic governments.
5.12 Protection of Civil Rights
AC1
No information. Our consultant notes that
this question did not really arise in Sweden during our period and
not even to a great extent now.
5.13 Interference with Civil
Liberties
3, AC5
There is a reference to the Social
Democrats exercising censorship of campaign material which
threatens to disturb relationships with a foreign power. Viewed
against the general backdrop of freedom of expression in Sweden,
this is judged to be a minor deviation from a more basic policy in
opposition to government interference with civil
liberties.
5.14 / 5.15 US--Soviet Experts Left-Right
Ratings
US says 3, Non-Communist left
Soviets say 2, it is basically a Workers'
Party . Recently, larger segments of white collar workers,
intelligentsia, civil servants, and small businessmen have entered
into its composition. It is a typical reformist party. It has been
in power since 1932, but the economic and social bases of a
capitalist system have remained unchanged and dominated by large
capital. The party program of 1960 states that contemporary
capitalism has changed and exists harmoniously with class
interests.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 Open Competition in the Electoral
Process
4, AC9
Like the other three major parties in
Sweden, the Social Democrats follow a strategy of open competition
through elections to win governmental office.
6.10 Restricting Party
Competition
0, AC9
Despite their long period in the
government, the Social Democrats have not departed from their
basic strategy of winning office through competitive
elections.
6.20 Subverting the Political
System
0, AC9
It is clear that the Social Democrats never
undertook a strategy of subverting the political system in order
to win office.
6.30 Propagandizing Ideas and
Program
6.31--2, AC6. The Social Democrats do not
operate a paper directly but get support
from Labor Oriented Press. The Party does sponsor two magazines,
Aktuellt and Tiden.
6.32--AC1. No information.
6.33--2, AC9. The Social Democrats are very
active in passing resolutions and publicizing their issue
stands.
6.34--2, AC5. The magazines appear to carry
party statements on a regular
basis.
6.50 Providing for Welfare of Party
members
6.51 to 6.53--0, AC6. Our consultant
reports that the Party itself does not
provide food, clothing, or shelter, does
not run employment services, and does not intercede with the
government on behalf of individual citizens.
6.54--1, AC6. The social democrats offer
adult education courses, (as Swedish parties generally are claimed
to operate.)
6.55--2, AC6. The Social Democrats engage
in the same type of social events as do other parties, sponsoring
youth groups, summer camps, dances, and so on. The party also owns
property used for conferences, schools, and a variety of
activities, including recreation.
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 Sources of Funds
3 (sector 01), AC7
One source indicates that about 1/3 of the
Party's support comes from membership dues. The rest of the
Party's funds must be made up elsewhere. Labor Union's support is
judged to make up the bulk of this remainder. If the Labor
Members' dues were taken into account, the Party would be scored
even lower on autonomy.
7.02 Source of Members
2 (sector 01), AC7
There is some disagreement among the
sources, but most hold that about 2/3 of the Party's membership
comes through collective affiliation with Trade Unions, which can
decide by majority vote at local Unions whether or not to
affiliate with the Social Democratic Labor Party. Our consultant
also states that all individual union members can decide to
disaffiliate from Party Membership, legally at least.
7.03 Sources of Leaders
AC2
There is some information about the
backgrounds of top party leaders, but there
was no tabulation of the backgrounds of Parliamentary Members of
the Social Democratic Party.
7.04 Relations with Domestic
Parties
4 for 1st half, AC9
6 for 2nd half, AC9
From 1951 to 1957, the Social Democrats
participated in a governing coalition with the Agrarian Party. But
during most of the second half of our time period, the Social
Democrats governed alone, although lacking a majority of the lower
chamber. The party is scored only virtually autonomous, for it had
to depend on defecting members in order to maintain a
parliamentary majority. Usually, that support came from the
Communist Party.
7.05 Relations with Foreign
Organizations
3, AC6
The Party affiliated with the Socialist
international throughout our time period.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 Structural Articulation
10, AC5
The national organs for the Social
Democratic Party consist of a Congress that meets only before
elections, which means (during our time period)
once every four years, an Executive Council of
28 members, and an Executive Committee
of seven members, which is chosen by the Party Congress.
The relationship of the external organs
to the Parliamentary Organziation is not well
stated at all.
8.02 Intensiveness of
Organization
6, AC6
The most intensive unit of organization is
the 10 to 15 member face-to face discussion groups, but the most
prevalent unit of organization is the Commune, of which there are
about 2,500.
8.03 Extensiveness of
Organization
6, AC5
There is no information in the file
indicating how widespread are the face-to face discussion groups
of the party, which is the most intensive unit of
organization. If attention is shifted to the Commune as the basic
unit, then the coverage would be
widespread, for there are about 2,500 in the country, and coverage
is rather thorough.
8.04 Frequency of Local
Meetings
3, AC4
One source holds that the frequency of
meetings of local organizations for most
Swedish parties is once a year, but this may not be true of
discussion groups.
8.05 Frequency of National
Meetings
AC2
The National Committee supposedly meets
more frequently than the Party Congress, but no mention is made of
the frequency of meetings.
8.06 Maintaining Records
16, AC6
The Party does engage in publishing party
propaganda to a considerable degree, and it is believed to
maintain very good membership lists. It also maintains a research
division to aid in the production of party materials, and our
consultant says it is of very high quality. It also can draw out
the resources of the Trade Union research division.
8.07 Pervasiveness of
Organization
17, AC8
There is a Women's Federation affiliated
with the Party and a Youth Federation, which is not tied to the
Party but supportive of it. In addition, there are numerous Trade
Unions linked to the Party at the local level. Other
organizational support comes through ties with
a Christian Social Democratic Federation,
a Student League, and a Seafarers' Federation.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 Nationalization of
Structure
4, AC7
There are 27 Party districts that
correspond to electoral districts for Parliament which provide the
link between the county districts and the national organs. The
National Committee is not described as the master of the
Parliamentary Party.
9.02 Selecting the National
Leader
6, AC5
The matter of selecting the party leader is
not clear, for party leadership changed so infrequently within the
Social Democratic Party and then only upon the death of the
previous leader. But it appears that the choice must be made from
the set of Parliamentary Representatives, for the leader of the
Party is also the leader in the Parliament. Then it seems that the
Party Congress has the final decision on the selection, at least
formally.
9.03 Selecting Parliamentary
Candidates
3, AC9
The process of selecting Parliamentary
candidates is quite decentralized, with the local organizations or
the local leaders having considerable freedom, despite the
occasional suggestion of candidates from the National
Organization. A list of candidates is drawn up by the District
Committee based on suggestions furnished by Communes and Members.
A special convention is often held to approve the
list.
9.04 Allocating Funds
2, AC5
Most of the funds are collected locally but
then distributed to the National
organization.
9.05 Formulating Policy
4, AC8
Policy is of course made by the National
Executive Committee and the Party in Parliament. But the Party
Congress does participate in the enactment of policy, and local
organizations frequently submit resolutions to the National
Committee for presentation at the convention.
9.06 Controlling Communications
6, AC6
There is no daily newspaper published
directly by the Social Democrats, although
there is a Social Democratic press with a circulation less than
half the circulation of newspapers in
support of the Bourgeois Parties. The press that is favorably
inclined to the Social Democrats is run largely by the
confederation of Trade Unions.
9.07 Administering Discipline
0, AC4
Technique for establishing discipline
within the Party are not discussed in the literature for our time
period. Once, in 1934, the National Committee formally expelled a
left-wing deviant. But it appears that the Party tolerates
occasional defections from the Party position in Parliament as
long
As the defection does not threaten its
control of government. What structure there is for administering
discipline, and there does not seem to be much, appears to come
from the "Council of Confidence" and the Executive Organization of
the Social Democratic Party in the Riksdag. Members are rewarded
and punished for their behavior by promotion or demotion within
the Riksdag itself. But this is purely an informal process of
discipline.
9.08 Leadership Concentration
4, AC5
The positions of Party Chairman and
Parliamentary leader are joined within
the Social Democratic Party. Erlander, who held both posts and who
was also Prime Minister of the country,
was no doubt a powerful person within the Party.
But the literature does not claim that he had his own way on
policy matters. It appears that he
needed support from the others in the executive
Committee or the parliamentary executive in
order to bind the party effectively to courses of
action.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 Legislative Cohesion
.90, AC3
The literature does not report tabulations
of votes in the Riksdag and discusses Party cohesion only in
general terms. It seems that the Social Democrats
are highly cohesive on most votes, although the Party does not
insist on conformity and does not have much of a mechanism to
press potential deviants inline.
10.02 Ideological Factionalism
2, AC6
The Social Democrats have a latent left
wing composed of members with more extreme Socialist sympathies,
but there have been few occasions for this group to emerge in the
form of a party faction.
10.03 Issue Factionalism
3, AC5
There are at least two issues which have
aroused factionalism within the Social Democratic party. One is
the pace and extent of nationalization of industry
and the other is the abolition of the monarchy. Radical
elements within the party have been in
favor of greater nationalization and in
opposition to the monarchy, but the latter
is not really a serious issue.
10.04 Leadership Factionalism
0, AC8
In the absence of references to divisions
within the Party over the issue of leadership and in the absence
of overt challenges to Erlander's leadership, it appears that
there has been no basis for factions to form over contests for
party leadership. Our consultant states that there were absolutely
no leadership factions during our period.
10.05 Strategic or Tactical
Factionalism
1. AC6
There is no information in the literature,
but it appears that there should have been some discussion
concerning the coalition with the Farmer Party and
the decision to form a minority government with implicit Communist
support. Our consultant notes that there was some discussion, but
there was nothing approaching the formation of a
faction.
10.06 Party Purges
0 for 1st half, AC9
0 for 2nd half, AC9
The Party has no real machinery to
discipline Parliamentary members for deviating from the Party
position. It surely has not engaged in purges as the concept is
commonly known.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 Membership Requirements
2, AC7
Most of the membership arises through
collective affiliation with local Trade Unions. Considering the
bulk of the membership, it appears that the
registration requirement does not apply to the collectively
affiliated members and that payment of
dues constitutes the main requirement.
11.02 Membership Participation
2, AC4
The literature cites a general lack of
activity by most party members, but it
is assumed that at least half of the members have attended an
occasional meeting.
11.03 Material Incentives
1, AC3
There is almost no information available on
the matter of incentives for party activity. Because the Social
Democrats have been in power so long, it is assumed that some of
the Party workers have jobs dependent on Social Democratic
success.
11.04 Purposive Incentives
1, AC3
Because the Party has such strong Labor
Union Member support, it is assumed that
some of the party workers are motivated by the programs that have
been proposed and carried out by the Social Democratic
Party.
11.05 Doctrinism
1, AC3
The Party publishes a great deal of issue
oriented literature, and our consultant
feels that the reports of Party Congresses, special study groups,
and so on do have the stamp of Party doctrine.
11.06 Personalism
0, AC7
There are no references to charismatic
qualities of Erlander, which would serve to motivate the Party
militants in their Party activity, but our consultant notes that
much of Erlander's success was due to the fact that
Swedes felt "comfortable" with him in a low key
way.