Decline in Evidence-Based Politics and Limited Private Sector Experience Challenge Swedish Political Decision-Making

Swedish political decision-making faces significant hurdles as evidence-based policymaking declines and politicians' operational experience outside politics remains limited. Professor Göran Sundström from Stockholm University highlights a notable shift under the current government toward more restrictive directives, often sidelining objective analysis. He notes an increase in 'executive inquiries,' where investigators are pushed to propose predetermined solutions aligning with government priorities rather than conducting impartial assessments. This trend is influenced by the Tidöavtalet's dominance, which narrows alternative problem-solving approaches. For instance, feedback from remiss bodies on issues like residency permit revocations and lowering the age of criminal responsibility has been overlooked. Governmental inquiries cost about one billion kronor annually, placing considerable strain on agencies.

Simultaneously, Swedish politicians generally lack extensive operational experience in the private sector. Anders Borg is an exceptional example of a politician successfully transitioning into business, but most follow a political career path starting with youth organizations and progressing to political roles, rarely gaining diverse civilian work experience. This pattern results in many politicians becoming generalists without sector-specific expertise, often moving into advisory or lobbying roles post-politics, leveraging their political knowledge rather than operational skills. Anders Dousa advocates for enhanced mobility between politics and private industries, citing countries like the USA and Germany where politicians draw on prior civilian careers to enrich both fields. Increasing such cross-sector experience is seen as vital to improving Swedish political effectiveness and societal benefits.