ALPHA. Demokratiskolan.se is a PROTOTYPE · Content review in progress
Demokratiskolan
MethodKit for Society & Politics

How Sweden works
and how you make a difference.

128 perspectives. 128 parts of society. Who decides in your municipality, your region and central government, where the decisions are made, and where you can step in.

128 perspectives on society
Understand how Sweden works
128perspectives
11areas of society
4levels of decision
346points of influence
01.

The four levels

Sweden is run on four levels: municipality (kommun), region, central government and the EU. You vote in all four elections. Every card shows how the power over its area is split. Here is the base map.

The municipality290 of them · municipal election every four years
The close-up stuff: preschool, school, elderly care, social services, streets, water, refuse and building permits. The municipal council (kommunfullmäktige) is the elected assembly, committees run each area, the municipal tax pays.
Fastest way inVote in the municipal election, file a citizen's proposal (medborgarförslag), respond to a public consultation (samråd).
The region21 of them · regional election, same day
Healthcare and public transport, plus regional development and culture. The regional council (regionfullmäktige) decides, the regional tax pays. The election many forget they are voting in.
Fastest way inVote in the regional election, submit your views, contact the committee politicians.
Central governmentgeneral election every four years
The laws and the big systems: the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) makes law, the Government runs the country, hundreds of public agencies carry it out. Police, defense, taxes, social insurance. The County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) is the state's arm in each county.
Fastest way inVote in the general election, respond to referrals (remiss), contact members of the Riksdag.
The EUEuropean Parliament election every five years
The rules above: the single market, trade, much of the environmental, consumer and data protection rules. Regulations apply directly, directives become Swedish law via the Riksdag.
Fastest way inVote in the European Parliament election, influence through Sweden's members of the European Parliament.
02.

The perspectives

128 perspectives on society. Search freely or filter by area and level. Each card is a part of society with its own page: who decides, how a decision is made, and where you can make a difference.

Filter by area

Filter by where the power lies

Showing all 128 perspectives

Academia 1Academia Knowledge production & ground research Knowledge & technologyNational focus Commons 2Commons Resources accessible or owned by everyone Environment & resourcesNational focus Unemployment 3Unemployment Support for the unemployed Economy & workNational focus Work environment & rights 4Work environment & rights Workplace safety, wages, working time & rest Economy & workNational focus Army 5Army Protecting yourself & act abroad Safety & defenseNational focus Waste & Recycling 6Waste & Recycling Reduce, reuse, recycle & recover Environment & resourcesMunicipal focus Childcare 7Childcare Day-, nightcare & pre-school Welfare & healthMunicipal focus Narratives 8Narratives Tales of the nation, cities, neighborhoods & people Democracy & powerNational focus Subsidies & benefits 9Subsidies & benefits Supporting people & encouraging behavior The state & public administrationNational focus Foreign aid 10Foreign aid Providing or receiving help Sweden in the worldNational focus Emergency services 11Emergency services Police, firefighters & ambulances Safety & defenseNational focus Housing 12Housing Owning, renting & social housing Places & infrastructureMunicipal focus Crime 13Crime Causes, Crimes, Penalties & punishments Safety & defenseNational focus Budget 14Budget Nation's incomes & expenses The state & public administrationNational focus Civil defense 15Civil defense Non-military ways to protect people Safety & defenseNational focus Civil society 16Civil society NGOs & foundations acting for the common good People & belongingMunicipal focus Data & statistics 17Data & statistics Analysing data & shaping insights to help govern The state & public administrationNational focus Discrimination 18Discrimination Discrimination in all its forms & how to counteract People & belongingNational focus Animals & pets 19Animals & pets Keeping cattle, having pets & handling the wild Environment & resourcesNational focus Drugs 20Drugs Allowed, restricted & prohibited drugs Culture & everyday lifeNational focus Energy 21Energy Energy sources, efficiency & types Environment & resourcesNational focus Family 22Family Marriage, inheritance & family politics People & belongingNational focus The 0.1% 23The 0.1% People & families with extreme wealth Democracy & powerNational focus Financial system 24Financial system Monetary system, banks & control functions Economy & workNational focus Public health 25Public health Prevent disease, prolong life & promote health Welfare & healthNational focus Social Movements 26Social Movements People fighting for change (or status quo) Democracy & powerMunicipal focus Skills 27Skills Skill-sets the nation nurtures Knowledge & technologyNational focus Trust 28Trust Trust in institutions & between people Democracy & powerNational focus Borders 29Borders Type, protection & disputes Safety & defenseNational focus Government interface 30Government interface How citizen interact with the state & fulfill duties The state & public administrationNational focus Trade 31Trade Trade (Imports & exports) of goods & services Sweden in the worldEuropean focus Sustainability 32Sustainability Ecological, economic & social sustainability Environment & resourcesNational focus Healthcare 33Healthcare Consultations, treatment & medicines Welfare & healthRegional focus Sports & recreation 34Sports & recreation Activities, for leisure or professional purposes Culture & everyday lifeMunicipal focus Intellectual Property 35Intellectual Property Patents, registered designs & copyright Knowledge & technologyNational focus Industries 36Industries Production, from raw materials to microcomputers Economy & workNational focus Informal economies 37Informal economies Black markets, criminal economy & illegal work Economy & workNational focus Informal settlements 38Informal settlements Life in forgotten parts of town Places & infrastructureMunicipal focus Infrastructure 39Infrastructure Internet, roads, electricity & sewers Places & infrastructureNational focus Innovation 40Innovation Supporting new solutions & entrepreneurship Knowledge & technologyNational focus Integration 41Integration Introduction, inclusion, assimilation & integration People & belongingNational focus Internal migration 42Internal migration Seeking better opportunities or avoiding problems Places & infrastructureNational focus International military ops 43International military ops Conflicts, wars & peacekeeping Safety & defenseNational focus International co-ops 44International co-ops Working with the UN, WTO & other orgs Sweden in the worldNational focus Jobs & career 45Jobs & career Making a living & finding meaningful occupation Economy & workNational focus Equality 46Equality Just treatment & fair distribution of opportunities People & belongingNational focus Classes 47Classes Life in the working, middle & upper class People & belongingNational focus Climate 48Climate Climate, seasons, rainfall & temperatures Environment & resourcesEuropean focus Public transport 49Public transport Transportation in & between cities Places & infrastructureRegional focus Local government 50Local government Regions & Municipalities The state & public administrationMunicipal focus Competition & monopolies 51Competition & monopolies Controlling regulated & open markets Economy & workNational focus Consumption 52Consumption Consumer rights, policies & VAT Economy & workNational focus Corruption 53Corruption How to identify & tackle corruption Democracy & powerNational focus Creative sector 54Creative sector Movies, fashion, design & creativity Culture & everyday lifeNational focus Justice system 55Justice system Legal processes, courts & punishments Safety & defenseNational focus Crises & disasters 56Crises & disasters Managing crisis & responding to disasters Safety & defenseNational focus Culture & arts 57Culture & arts Different types of artistic expressions Culture & everyday lifeMunicipal focus Heritage & Traditions 58Heritage & Traditions Cultural heritage & behavior passed down Culture & everyday lifeNational focus Knowledge services 59Knowledge services Consultants, experts & organizers Knowledge & technologyNational focus Countryside 60Countryside Life in the countryside Places & infrastructureNational focus Agriculture 61Agriculture Growing & providing food Environment & resourcesEuropean focus Life quality 62Life quality Achieving & maintaining a good quality of life Welfare & healthNational focus Local Economies 63Local Economies Services, production & vending locally Economy & workMunicipal focus Power structures 64Power structures Formal & informal power ruling society Democracy & powerNational focus Market forces 65Market forces Affecting prices, supply & demand of commodities Economy & workNational focus Food & nutrition 66Food & nutrition How to encourage & provide good food & habits Welfare & healthNational focus Citizen involvement 67Citizen involvement Involvement & participation, beyond elections Democracy & powerMunicipal focus Citizenship 68Citizenship Old, new & prospective citizens People & belongingNational focus Media & reporting 69Media & reporting Private & public service media outlets Democracy & powerNational focus Mental Health 70Mental Health Stress, loneliness & depression (or worse) Welfare & healthRegional focus Migration 71Migration People moving in & out (for different reasons) People & belongingNational focus Environment 72Environment Human impact, nature & ecosystems Environment & resourcesNational focus Minorities & Diasporas 73Minorities & Diasporas People outside the majority People & belongingNational focus National Identity 74National Identity Peoples' sense of belonging to the nation People & belongingNational focus National security 75National security Battling terrorism, sabotage & threats to the nation Safety & defenseNational focus Nation by night 76Nation by night Joys, safety & dangers at night Culture & everyday lifeMunicipal focus Nation Branding 77Nation Branding Presenting your country abroad Sweden in the worldNational focus Natural Resources 78Natural Resources Raw materials from mother nature Environment & resourcesNational focus Norms & taboos 79Norms & taboos Dos & Don'ts of the majority society People & belongingNational focus Public procurement 80Public procurement Contractors & government contracts The state & public administrationMunicipal focus Public Services 81Public Services Services government provides for The state & public administrationMunicipal focus Public spaces 82Public spaces Where to wait, meet, think & gather Places & infrastructureMunicipal focus Organised crime 83Organised crime People conducting crimes in an organized way Safety & defenseNational focus Parties & Politicians 84Parties & Politicians Different parties & Known politicians Democracy & powerNational focus Personal Freedom 85Personal Freedom Freedom of speech, movement & privacy Democracy & powerNational focus Police 86Police Long arm of the law? Safety & defenseNational focus Affordability 87Affordability Accessing & affording different lifestyles & services Welfare & healthNational focus Regions 88Regions Different regions, similarities & differences Places & infrastructureRegional focus Regulation 89Regulation Standards & licensing for compatibility & safety The state & public administrationNational focus Religion & spirituality 90Religion & spirituality Religions, practices & places of worship Culture & everyday lifeNational focus Resource distribution 91Resource distribution How the crumbs & riches are shared (& used) The state & public administrationNational focus Service sector 92Service sector Restaurants, cleaners & electricians Economy & workNational focus Sexual politics 93Sexual politics Abortions, birth control, consent & sex work People & belongingNational focus Taxes 94Taxes Income, VAT, capital, property, inheritance & others The state & public administrationNational focus Entrepreneurship 95Entrepreneurship Small/medium businesses & entrepreneurship Economy & workNational focus Social Contract 96Social Contract What we (should) expect from each other Democracy & powerNational focus Social security 97Social security How citizens are supported through difficulties Welfare & healthNational focus Gambling 98Gambling Games, lotteries, casinos & gambling Culture & everyday lifeNational focus Language(s) 99Language(s) (In)official language(s) used in the nation People & belongingNational focus Planning & architecture 100Planning & architecture Urban planning & built environment Places & infrastructureMunicipal focus Government 101Government Cabinet, ministries, agencies & public servants The state & public administrationNational focus State-owned companies 102State-owned companies Companies owned or controlled by the state The state & public administrationNational focus Corporations 103Corporations Big & multinational companies Economy & workNational focus Political system 104Political system Elections, processes & constitutions Democracy & powerNational focus Cities & towns 105Cities & towns Everything around urban life Places & infrastructureMunicipal focus Grants 106Grants Supporting causes for the public good The state & public administrationMunicipal focus Safety & security 107Safety & security Feeling safe about where you are Safety & defenseMunicipal focus Technology 108Technology Infrastructure, development & implementation Knowledge & technologyEuropean focus Debt & savings 109Debt & savings State's, Households' & companies' debts & stashes Economy & workNational focus Accessibility 110Accessibility Accessing society on equal terms Welfare & healthMunicipal focus Growth 111Growth Growth or shrinking, in one way or another Economy & workNational focus Traditional power 112Traditional power Kings, nobility, priests & witch doctors Democracy & powerNational focus Transparency 113Transparency Public archives, open data & APIs Democracy & powerNational focus Transport & mobility 114Transport & mobility Modes, infrastructure & access Places & infrastructureNational focus Customs 115Customs Taxes & rules for exports & imports Sweden in the worldEuropean focus Tourism 116Tourism Sights, activities, tourism & visas Sweden in the worldMunicipal focus Intelligence agencies 117Intelligence agencies Collecting information & diverting threats Safety & defenseNational focus Youth & kids 118Youth & kids Upbringing, spare time & school People & belongingMunicipal focus Unions & alliances 119Unions & alliances Teaming up with other states Sweden in the worldNational focus Indigenous culture 120Indigenous culture Recognition of traditional culture & territory People & belongingNational focus Education & learning 121Education & learning From mandatory education to lifelong learning Knowledge & technologyMunicipal focus Foreign interests 122Foreign interests (un)friendly countries, orgs & multi-nationals Safety & defenseNational focus Foreign affairs 123Foreign affairs How to interact & have a presence in the world Sweden in the worldNational focus Vulnerable groups 124Vulnerable groups People on the fringes Welfare & healthMunicipal focus Water 125Water Providing clean running water Environment & resourcesMunicipal focus Science & Research 126Science & Research Basic & applied research, actors & funding Knowledge & technologyNational focus Roads & Streets 127Roads & Streets Types, design & prioritization of modes Places & infrastructureNational focus Seniors 128Seniors Occupation, pensions & care when getting older Welfare & healthMunicipal focus
03.

How you make a difference

Democracy is more than election day. From a citizen's proposal (medborgarförslag) and a referral response to campaigns, demonstrations and organising, there is a whole toolbox of ways to make a difference between elections. It has its own page.

04.

Glossary

515 terms that come up when you try to understand or influence Sweden, from A to Z. Click a word for the explanation, official sources and the cards it belongs to.

05.

About the site

A school in how Sweden works, built on a deck of cards that is already on the table.

Why

Society is not one thing, it is 128. MethodKit for Society & Politics is a deck of cards that together covers the society we live in, from childcare to national security. Here each card gets its own page that asks the same two questions: how does this work, and how do you make a difference?

Each page shows where the power lies, compares the levels side by side, and follows one concrete decision through the system, with the points of influence marked. The texts are a basis for conversation and general knowledge, not legal advice.

Method and stance

The site is politically neutral: it describes how the system works, not what you should think. The links go to public agencies and official institutions. The texts are AI-assisted drafts under ongoing review. If you find an error, get in touch.

If you want the cards in your hand, the deck is available from MethodKit.