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The struggle for industrial democracy in Sweden: A sociological macro-meso analysis 1960–2020

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Tengblad

    (Centre for Global Human Resource Management, University of Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Thomas Andersson

    (School of Business, University of Skövde, Sweden; VID Specialized University, Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences, Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

Sweden has the reputation of being one of the most progressive countries in the world concerning work-life development and industrial democracy. In this article, an analytical overview of the development in these areas is provided, which includes the antecedents, major events, actor positioning and also the broad-term outcomes. Two major reform movements are described: one aiming to create a radically different work-life where workers control their own work with a power balance between labour and capital, and one a reformist movement aiming to create a degree of co-determination and a more engaging work-life without any major changes in power relations. The case shows that the radical movement was not able to generate radical change and that the reformistic movement achieved only partial success. The outcome over time has been a decreased interest in work-life development where co-determination practices are heavily institutionalized but perhaps do not provide better conditions for workers than in many other advanced industrial countries with a lesser degree of formal co-determination.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Tengblad & Thomas Andersson, 2025. "The struggle for industrial democracy in Sweden: A sociological macro-meso analysis 1960–2020," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(1), pages 287-312, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:46:y:2025:i:1:p:287-312
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X241235287
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