Abstract
The Swedish system of social security has often been regarded as comprehensive and comprehensive and inclusive. During major reforms in the 1990s and 2000s, it has maintained its essential character as a popular and well-endowed provider of social security and stability. Employment-related benefits are generous in financial terms, but come with the need for recipients to remain actively engaged in the economic or educational field. However, Sweden’s geographical and demographic diversity made it necessary to increase the role of local authorities in implementing active labour market policies. This article tracks these developments since the mid-1990s, both with regard to changing the benefits system and with regard to changing local government involvement. It argues that backed by broad political support, the Swedish system has achieved the necessary modernisation and adaptation to remain a viable alternative to more neo-liberal welfare retrenchment projects conducted in other European countries.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 23-39 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Regional and federal studies |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 1 Dec 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Bibliographical note
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Regional & Federal Studies on 1/12/16, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13597566.2016.1255605Keywords
- activation policy
- local government
- Sweden
- welfare reform