In this article we summarise areas for which Sweden comes across as one of the least-, if not the least democratic country among established democracies. This, as a balance to The Economist Intelligence unit´s conclusion that Sweden is a ”near perfect” democracy:
1. Transparency of party-financing
2. Political corruption
3. Electronic surveillance
4. System for appointments to higher office
5. Dominant-party system
6. Independence of parliament
7. Checks and balances
8. Corporativism
9. Government accountability
10. Integrity of the civil service
11. Independence of the judiciary
12. Rule of law
13. Influence of powerful domestic groups
14. Property rights, family rights and personal integrity
15. Political correctnes
16. Voter turnout in federal (=EU) elections
17. Efforts from the authorities to promote political participation
18. ”Soft state”
19. Tradition of separation of church and state
20. Agreement on basic values (constitution, human rights, education)
21. Patient´s rights
22. Compensation in tort cases
23. Efficiency of public sector
24. …
Please note that this list refers to 2006, the year of the first survey by The Economist. Changes may have ocurred since then.
