National level
The Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) makes the laws, the Government (the cabinet) runs the country, and the public agencies carry the decisions out. This is where the big decisions are made and the broad systems take shape.
Riksdagen
349 members, elected in the general electionsWhatA proposal that a member of the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) submits on their own, covering anything from a brand new law to a small change.
WhoAn elected member of the Riksdag, alone or together with party colleagues, puts the proposal forward.
HowYou can read every motion for free on riksdagen.se, and you can contact a member about an issue you want them to push.
WhatA counter-proposal or change that members submit in response to a government bill (proposition) from the Government.
WhoElected members of the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament), often from the opposition, use it to answer the Government's proposal.
HowYou can follow where the parties stand by reading the följdmotioner on riksdagen.se ahead of a decision.
WhatThe vote itself in the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament), where the members vote yes or no and decide whether a law or a decision goes through.
WhoThe 349 elected members of the Riksdag, each with one vote regardless of how large their party is.
HowYou can see exactly how each member voted in the votes (votering) on riksdagen.se and take it into account before the next election.
The committees of the Riksdag
appointed by the RiksdagWhatA committee's finished position on an issue, with a recommendation on how the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) should vote.
WhoElected members of one of the Riksdag's committees (utskott), who prepare the issues before the whole Riksdag decides.
HowYou can read the committee reports (betänkanden) on riksdagen.se to understand the reasoning behind a decision before the vote takes place.
WhatOne committee's views on an issue that is actually being prepared by another committee, so that more perspectives are weighed in.
WhoElected members of a committee who want to contribute their view on a matter that sits with another committee.
HowYou can read the opinions (yttranden) on riksdagen.se to see how different parts of the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) view the same issue.
Regeringen
appointed by the RiksdagWhatThe Government's overview of what it wants to do during the year, which the prime minister reads out when the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) opens.
WhoThe Government, that is the politically appointed ministers led by the prime minister, stands behind the content.
HowOn regeringen.se you can read or watch the statement of government policy (regeringsförklaringen) and understand where the Government wants to steer the country.
WhatThe Government's overview of its foreign policy, that is how Sweden should relate to other countries and the world.
WhoThe Government, through the foreign minister, presents it, as the ones politically responsible for foreign policy.
HowYou can read the foreign policy statement (utrikesdeklarationen) on regeringen.se to see the Government's line on foreign affairs.
WhatThe Government's overview of what Sweden wants to pursue in the EU and how it sees the cooperation going forward.
WhoThe Government, which represents Sweden in the EU, presents it through the responsible minister.
HowOn regeringen.se you will find the EU policy statement (EU-deklarationen), which shows the line Sweden takes in Brussels.
WhatThe Government's proposal for the guidelines of economic policy and the budget for the years ahead, submitted in the spring.
WhoThe Government, through the finance minister, presents it, as the ones politically responsible for the central government's finances.
HowYou will find the spring budget bill (vårpropositionen) on regeringen.se and can see how the Government plans to use the central government's money.
WhatThe Government's big budget proposal in the autumn, which shows how the central government's money is to be shared between different areas next year.
WhoThe Government, through the finance minister, presents it, and the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) is the one that decides on the budget in the end.
HowYou can read the budget bill (budgetpropositionen) on regeringen.se and see what is proposed for the area you care about.
WhatA proposal for a new law or a changed law that the Government works out in order to pass it on to the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament).
WhoThe Government and its ministries (departement) produce the proposal, as the ones politically responsible for legislative work.
HowYou can follow the draft laws on regeringen.se and submit views if your company or your organisation becomes a referral body (remissinstans).
WhatThe finished draft law that the Government formally submits to the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) for a decision.
WhoThe Government puts the government bill (proposition) forward, and it is the elected Riksdag that then votes on it.
HowYou can read the bills (propositioner) on riksdagen.se and regeringen.se to see exactly what is proposed to become law.
WhatA yearly letter where the Government sets out what a public agency is to do, what goals it has and how much money it gets.
WhoThe Government, through the responsible ministry, writes the letter, as the ones politically responsible for steering the agencies.
HowYou can read the appropriation directions (regleringsbrev) on esv.se to understand what the Government has asked a given agency to prioritise.
WhatMemoranda from a ministry (departement) where the Government reports on an issue or sets out its view without putting forward a draft law.
WhoThe Government, through one of its ministries, stands behind the text, as the ones politically responsible for the area.
HowOn regeringen.se you can follow the ministry memoranda (departementsskrivelser) and see how an issue is being prepared within the Government.
WhatThe Government's decisions on who is to sit on boards and lead important public agencies and central government bodies.
WhoThe Government, that is the politically appointed ministers, names the people who are to lead agencies and boards.
HowYou meet this indirectly, but you can see who the Government has appointed on regeringen.se and review the choices afterwards.
WhatA document where the Government reports to the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) on an issue or measure, without asking for a legislative decision.
WhoThe Government submits the communication (skrivelse) to the elected Riksdag, which can discuss it but does not change it the way it would a law.
HowYou can read the Government's communications on riksdagen.se to see how the Government reports on its work in an area.
Public inquiries
the Government's road to a draft lawWhatThe Government's assignment that starts a public inquiry (statlig utredning) and decides what it is to look at and when it is to be finished.
WhoThe Government, through the responsible ministry, writes the terms of reference (kommittédirektiv), as the ones politically responsible for which issues are to be looked into.
HowYou can read the terms of reference on regeringen.se to see in advance which issues are about to be investigated.
WhatA yearly overview of all ongoing and completed public inquiries and what they are working on.
WhoThe Government, through the Government Offices (Regeringskansliet), compiles it, so that the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) and the public can follow the inquiry work.
HowYou can use the committee report (kommittéberättelse) to get an overview of which public inquiries are running right now.
WhatAn inquiry carried out inside a ministry (departement) instead of by an independent committee, often on smaller issues.
WhoPublic officials at a ministry write the memorandum (departementspromemoria) on the Government's behalf, within the Government's organisation.
HowYou can read the ministry memoranda on regeringen.se and respond if your organisation receives the referral (remiss).
WhatA thorough investigation of an issue, often carried out by a special investigator, which ends in proposals to the Government.
WhoAn investigator that the Government appoints leads the work, often with experts and specialists for support.
HowYou can read the inquiries on regeringen.se under SOU, since they are public and often have plain-language summaries.
WhatThe step where a proposal is sent out so that public agencies, organisations and others can have their say before a decision is taken.
WhoThe Government sends out the proposal, but it is public agencies, municipalities and organisations that respond with their views.
HowYou can read both the proposal and all the referral responses (remissvar) on regeringen.se, and your organisation can often submit its own response.
The administration
political leadership, director appointed by the politiciansWhatThe administration that handles the practical side of the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament), so that the members can do their work.
WhoPublic officials employed by the Riksdag, that is not elected, who support the work of the Riksdag.
HowYou rarely meet it directly, but it is responsible for things such as visits and information on riksdagen.se.
WhatThe large organisation of public officials that prepares matters and helps the Government run the country.
WhoPublic officials employed by the state, who work for the Government but are not themselves elected.
HowYou rarely meet it directly, but you can request official documents from there under the principle of public access to official documents (offentlighetsprincipen).
WhatThe different parts of the Government Offices (Regeringskansliet), where each ministry (departement) is responsible for its own area such as health care, schools or defence.
WhoPublic officials who prepare the issues, led by a minister (statsråd), that is a politically appointed cabinet member.
HowYou can turn to the right ministry on regeringen.se with a question, or request documents from there.
WhatCompanies owned by the state, from railways to gambling, which are to be run on commercial terms but within limits set by the politicians.
WhoA politically appointed board leads the company, and the state as owner is represented by the responsible minister.
HowYou meet them as a customer, and you can follow how they are run through the annual reports the state publishes.
The public agencies
political steering, director appointed by the politiciansWhatWhen a public agency decides for itself how to understand and carry out the assignment the Government has given in the appropriation directions (regleringsbrev).
WhoPublic officials at the agency, led by a head that the Government has appointed, but who are not elected.
HowYou meet the result in how the agency acts, and you can request documents to see how it has interpreted its assignment.
WhatWhen a public agency starts from a ministry memorandum (departementspromemoria) and decides for itself how it is to be applied in its own work.
WhoPublic officials at the agency make the interpretation within their assignment, that is not elected politicians.
HowYou meet the result in the agency's decisions, and you can request documents to understand how it has reasoned.
WhatDecisions that the agency makes about its own work, such as how it organises itself and how it prioritises between tasks.
WhoPublic officials at the agency, within the limits that laws and the Government's steering set.
HowYou rarely meet them directly, but many documents are public and can be requested under the principle of public access to official documents (offentlighetsprincipen).
WhatThe many small judgements a public agency makes in its everyday work, which together shape how the rules are applied in practice.
WhoPublic officials at the agency who apply the rules in individual cases, within their assignment.
HowYou meet them when your matter is being handled, and you can ask for the reasoning and request documents in your case (ärende).
WhatWhen a public agency, on its own initiative or on assignment, finds out the facts on an issue within its area of responsibility.
WhoPublic officials at the agency carry out the inquiry, that is not elected, within the area the agency is responsible for.
HowYou can often read the agencies' inquiries and reports on their websites, since they are public.
WhatThe agency's written views on a proposal that the Government or someone else has sent out for referral (remiss).
WhoPublic officials at the agency formulate the response based on their expertise, that is not elected politicians.
HowYou can read the agencies' referral responses (remissvar) on regeringen.se to see what the experts think of a proposal.
WhatWhen a public agency, on its own initiative, turns to the Government and proposes a change, for example to a rule.
WhoPublic officials at the agency take the initiative based on what they see in their work, that is not elected.
HowYou rarely meet it directly, but you can request the formal requests (framställningar) to see what an agency wants to change.
WhatWhen the agency reports back to the Government on what it has done, how it has gone and how the money has been used.
WhoPublic officials at the agency compile the reporting, which the Government and the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) use to follow up.
HowYou can read the agencies' annual reports, since they are public and show what the tax money has gone to.
Independent bodies under the Riksdag
outside the Government's steeringWhatSweden's central bank, which is responsible for the value of money and has the task of keeping inflation stable and low.
WhoPublic officials led by an executive board, an independent public agency under the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) that is not steered by the Government.
HowYou meet the Riksbank's decisions in the interest rate and in price movements, and you can follow its announcements on riksbank.se.
WhatThe body that examines how the state uses its money and whether the agencies and the Government carry out their assignments well.
WhoPublic officials led by an Auditor General, an independent part of the Riksdag's scrutiny of the state.
HowYou can read the Swedish National Audit Office's audits on riksrevisionen.se to see where tax money is used effectively or not.
Other
WhatAn elected body for the Sami people that is both a public agency and a parliament for Sami affairs.
WhoMembers elected by Sami people in their own election, that is elected representatives of the Sami population.
HowIf you are Sami you can vote in the Sami parliament election, and anyone can read about the work of Sametinget on sametinget.se.
Politics, in general
The recurring tools that exist at every level: how politicians vote, talk, decide and steer the public officials.
Voting
WhatThe votering is the vote itself, where the members say yes or no and it is counted up into a decision on a law or a question.
WhoElected politicians in an assembly, for example the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament), a council or a committee (nämnd), each vote individually.
HowYou meet it by reading how the elected representatives voted, which is public, and weighing that in when you yourself vote in the next election.
WhatA reservation is when a member who lost the vote has it written down that they thought differently and why, so the dissenting view stays in the minutes.
WhoAn elected politician who ended up in the minority in a committee (nämnd) or assembly uses the reservation to mark their position.
HowYou can read the reservations in the minutes to see who stood against a decision and what reasons they put forward.
WhatA särskilt uttalande (special statement) is a short comment a member adds to a decision, often to explain how they see the question without voting against.
WhoAn elected politician in a committee (nämnd) or assembly puts it forward to get their view into the records.
HowYou find the statements in the public minutes and can use them to understand the nuances behind a unanimous decision.
Talks
WhatAn informal conversation is the corridor talk and meetings outside the agenda where a lot gets settled before a matter is formally decided.
WhoElected politicians talk things through with each other, with other parties or with public officials before a decision is made.
HowYou reach into the informal conversations by making direct contact with an elected representative, calling, emailing or asking for a meeting.
WhatThese are the ongoing talks between the administration's top manager and the politicians who govern, where reality and intention meet.
WhoA public official, the administration's director or manager, checks in with the elected representatives who lead the committee (nämnd) or board.
HowYou influence the talks indirectly by giving the politicians information and views that they can bring with them into the dialogue with the administration.
WhatA formal meeting is a session with a summons, an agenda and minutes, where the decisions are made and documented according to the rules.
WhoElected politicians in a committee (nämnd), board or assembly hold the meeting, often with public officials presenting the matters.
HowMany meetings are open or minuted, so you can follow them in person or read the documents afterwards on the municipality's or region's website.
Decisions
WhatA committee decision (nämndbeslut) is the decision a committee (nämnd) makes together about its area, for example school, building permits or social services.
WhoThe elected politicians on the committee make the decision jointly, often after a public official has prepared the matter.
HowYou can read the committee's minutes, submit views ahead of a matter and in some cases appeal the decision if it concerns you.
WhatA chair's decision (ordförandebeslut) is when the committee chair makes a decision alone in an urgent situation, and then reports it to the committee.
WhoAn elected politician, the chair of the committee (nämnd) or board, makes the decision on behalf of the assembly.
HowYou see the chair's decisions when they are reported in the committee's minutes and can ask why the decision could not wait.
WhatA delegated decision (delegationsbeslut) is a decision a public official makes on the politicians' behalf, according to a list that says what may be settled without going to the committee (nämnd).
WhoA public official in the administration makes the decision, but it is the politicians who have decided which power may be handed over.
HowDelegated decisions are reported to the committee and become public, so you can request them and in some cases appeal one that concerns you.
WhatSub-delegation (vidaredelegation) is when the person given the right to decide in turn passes part of it on to someone further down in the organisation.
WhoA public official, often a head of administration, passes the right to decide on to a case officer or unit manager below them.
HowYou can ask to see the delegation order (delegationsordning) to understand exactly who had the right to make a decision that affects you.
Steering the public officials
WhatA directive (direktiv) is an instruction from the politicians about what the administration is to do or investigate, often the starting signal for a larger piece of work.
WhoElected politicians in a committee (nämnd) or board give the directive to the public officials who are to carry it out.
HowYou can suggest to your elected representatives that they take the initiative for a directive on a question you think should be looked into.
WhatDelegation (delegering) is when the politicians hand over the right to make certain decisions to the public officials, so the administration can work without asking about everything.
WhoElected politicians decide what is to be delegated, and public officials then take over the decision-making itself within those frames.
HowYou meet delegation in practice every time a case officer settles your matter, and you can read the delegation order (delegationsordning) to see who decides what.
Governing documents
The documents that decide how the central government, the regions and the municipalities are run, and in which direction they are to go.
Overarching
WhatAn arbetsordning (rules of procedure) is the document that describes how a body is to work, who does what, and how meetings and decisions are run.
WhoElected politicians in an assembly or board adopt the rules of procedure for their own activity.
HowYou can request the rules of procedure to understand the ground rules for, for example, your municipal council (kommunfullmäktige) or a committee (nämnd).
WhatA policy expresses the overarching values and principles that are to guide how a municipality, region or the central government acts on an issue.
WhoElected politicians decide on the policy, which is then meant to run through the work of the civil servants.
HowYou can read the policy to see what those in charge have said they stand for, and refer to it when you think reality does not match.
WhatA strategy describes the path towards a goal over the longer term, that is, how one intends to get there and what is to be prioritised.
WhoElected politicians adopt the strategy, which becomes a direction for the civil servants' planning and work going forward.
HowYou can follow up whether the activity is actually moving where the strategy points, and raise it with your elected representatives if it has stayed on paper.
General
WhatA reglemente (terms of reference) is the document that decides what a committee (nämnd) is responsible for and what powers it has, its mandate description quite simply.
WhoElected politicians in the council adopt the terms of reference and thereby set the frame for each committee's remit.
HowYou can read the terms of reference to find out which committee is actually responsible for an issue you want to pursue or complain about.
WhatA riktlinje (guideline) is more concrete than a policy and tells you how something is to be done in practice, a rule of thumb for the day-to-day work.
WhoElected politicians most often decide on the guideline, which the civil servants are then to follow in their work.
HowYou can refer to a guideline when you think you have been treated differently than the rules say you should be.
WhatA program gathers goals and measures within one area, for example a housing program or an environmental program, and shows what is to be achieved.
WhoElected politicians adopt the program, which becomes governing for how the civil servants plan within the area.
HowYou can read the program to see what the municipality or region has promised within an area and follow up whether it becomes reality.
Detailed
WhatA delegationsordning (delegation of authority) is the list that shows exactly which decisions the civil servants may make on behalf of the politicians, and where the line is drawn.
WhoElected politicians in a committee (nämnd) adopt the delegation of authority and thereby decide how much power is handed over to the administration.
HowYou can request the delegation of authority to see who had the right to decide in your case and whether the decision was made at the right level.
WhatA rule is a binding detailed provision about how something concrete is to be done, more governing than a general guideline.
WhoOften it is a civil servant in the administration who decides on the rules for the day-to-day work, within the frame the politicians have set.
HowYou meet the rules directly in your contact with a service, and you can ask to see which rule a decision is based on.
WhatA plan is the concrete document that says what is to be done, when and by whom, often for a defined area or period.
WhoHere it is often a civil servant in the administration who works out and decides the plan based on the politicians' goals.
HowYou can ask to see the plan for a service that concerns you and submit views on how it is carried out.
Municipal
The things closest to you: school, care, streets, water, waste and building permits. The municipal council (kommunfullmäktige) decides, the committees (nämnder) steer each area, the administration carries it out.
Kommunfullmäktige
elected through general electionsWhatThe highest decision-making body of your municipality (kommun), which sets the budget, the tax rate and the big guidelines for school, care and how the area is built.
WhoThe elected members of the council (kommunfullmäktige), who you yourself help vote in at the municipal election every four years.
HowYou vote in the municipal election, and in between the meetings are open, so you can listen in person or follow them online.
Kommunstyrelsen
the municipality's leadershipWhatThe decision to appoint borgarråd, that is, the leading politicians who in larger cities each run their own area of responsibility full time.
WhoThe elected members of the executive committee (kommunstyrelsen), who are politically appointed and form the municipality's leadership between the council's meetings.
HowYou influence who leads through your vote in the election, and you can follow what duties and pay the borgarråd have on the municipality's website.
WhatThe decision on which committees (nämnder) the municipality should have and which politicians should sit on them to steer each area of activity.
WhoThe elected members of the executive committee and the council, who hand out the seats according to how the parties were voted in at the election.
HowYou can see who steers your area through the municipality's committee lists, and you can turn to a member with a question or a view.
WhatThe governing document that sets the frame for money and goals, that is, what each activity may cost and what it should achieve.
WhoThe elected members of the executive committee who draw up the proposal, before the council takes the final decision on the budget.
HowYou can read the budget on the municipality's website, give your views before it is adopted, and see how your tax money is distributed.
WhatThe municipality's long-term map of how land and water should be used, that is, where housing, roads and nature may go over time. This is the comprehensive plan (översiktsplan).
WhoThe elected members of the executive committee who lead the work, before the council adopts the plan for the whole municipality.
HowYou have the right to give your view during the public consultation (samråd), when the plan is put on display and anyone can comment on the proposal.
WhatArea regulations (områdesbestämmelser) that govern land and building in a defined area where there is no detailed development plan but rules are still needed.
WhoThe elected members of the executive committee who prepare the proposal, before it is decided politically in the municipality.
HowYou can give your views during the public consultation (samråd), and if the regulations concern you, you can later appeal the decision.
WhatThe legally binding plan for a smaller area, which decides exactly what may be built there and how it should look. This is the detailed development plan (detaljplan).
WhoThe elected members of the executive committee and the committee who drive the plan, before it is adopted politically in the municipality.
HowYou have the right to give your views during the public consultation (samråd), and if you are an affected neighbour you can appeal the adopted plan.
Rotlar och nämnder
committees are appointed by the executive committeeWhatThe division into portfolios (rotlar), that is, the areas of responsibility into which the leading politicians split the running of the municipality.
WhoThe elected members of the municipality's leadership, who divide the portfolios between themselves according to the election result and the governing majority.
HowYou can see who is responsible for your area on the municipality's website, and you can contact the right politician when you have a question.
WhatDistrict committees (stadsdelsnämnder) that steer a city district close to residents, often responsible for things like preschool, elderly care and recreation in the area.
WhoThe elected members of the district committee, who are politically appointed to lead their own part of a larger municipality.
HowYou can follow the committee's open meetings, read the minutes and contact a member about how things work in your district.
WhatSector committees (facknämnder) that each take responsibility for one subject area across the whole municipality, such as schools, the environment or building permits and plans.
WhoThe elected members of each sector committee, who are politically appointed to steer their area on behalf of the politicians.
HowYou can follow the committee's open meetings and minutes, and turn to a member of the committee that handles your question.
The municipal administration
the politicians set the frameWhatThe daily work of translating the politicians' budget into concrete activity, that is, how the money is actually used.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who are employed to carry out what the politicians have decided.
HowYou meet this interpretation as the quality of the service you get, and you can ask the administration how a particular investment is being used.
WhatThe work of putting a political decision into practice, where the administration decides how it should be carried out in everyday life.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who are employed rather than elected, but are bound by the frame the politicians have set.
HowYou can request documents to see how a decision has been interpreted, and contact the administration if something has gone wrong.
WhatThe many smaller decisions the administration makes in its day-to-day work without going back to the politicians each time.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who have been given the right to decide certain matters through the municipality's delegation rules.
HowYou can ask to see the decisions and the underlying papers, since most documents in a municipality are public and open to anyone.
WhatThe judgments the administration makes in ongoing work, where a civil servant takes a position on a concrete question on the spot.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who within their remit make professional judgments in the daily work.
HowYou meet this when you have a case, and you can ask for an explanation or turn to someone higher up if you think it has gone wrong.
WhatThe background material the administration produces when a question needs to be examined, so the politicians have facts to base a decision on.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who gather and compile the information on behalf of the politicians or the leadership.
HowYou can request finished inquiries, since they are official documents, and read what lies behind a decision.
WhatThe municipality's answer when someone else asks for its views on a proposal, for example a new national rule. This is a referral response (remissvar).
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration who write the answer, often before a committee or the executive committee approves it politically.
HowYou can read the municipality's referral responses in its register and see what position it has taken on a question that affects you or your area.
WhatA formal request or proposal (framställning) that the administration sends upward, for example to the politicians or another public agency.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who raise a question further up when they see a need in the activity.
HowYou can request such proposals through the public register and follow which needs the administration raises to the politicians.
WhatThe report back on what has been done and how the money has been used, so the politicians can follow up on the activity.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who compile results and figures for the politicians and the municipality's leadership.
HowYou can read the annual report and follow-ups on the municipality's website and see what the tax money has gone to.
WhatThe written background material with a proposed decision (tjänsteskrivelse) that the administration puts before a committee or the executive committee.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipal administration, who prepare the matter and propose how the politicians should decide on the question.
HowYou find the tjänsteskrivelse in the notice for the meeting and can read it before the decision, since it is an official document.
Public services
the municipality's core missionWhatThe municipal school and preschool, that is, the teaching and childcare the municipality is responsible for offering all children.
WhoThe civil servants in the school administration, head teachers and teachers, who run the activity within the politicians' budget and goals.
HowYou meet the school as a pupil or guardian, and you can raise questions with the head teacher or through the school's parent council.
WhatThe municipality's care for older people, from home care in your own home to a place in a care home when the need is greater.
WhoThe civil servants in the care administration, such as needs assessors and staff, who provide the care within the politicians' frame.
HowYou apply for help from the municipality, and if you are refused you can appeal, since the decision must follow the law and your needs.
WhatThe municipality's support for people in vulnerable situations, such as financial assistance, help with addiction and protection for children.
WhoThe civil servants in the social services, such as social workers, who assess needs and decide within the frame of the social services act.
HowYou can apply for help, you have the right to get a decision, and you can appeal if you are refused the support you applied for.
WhatThe service that responds to fires and accidents and works preventively on safety and inspections in the municipality.
WhoThe civil servants in the rescue service, often run by the municipality, sometimes together with neighbouring municipalities in a joint body.
HowYou meet it when you call 112 in an emergency, and you can turn to the rescue service with questions about fire safety and safety at home.
WhatCollection of rubbish and handling of waste, that is, making sure household rubbish is taken care of and recycled as far as possible.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipality's waste service, sometimes through a municipal company that handles the collection.
HowYou sort your waste and pay the fee, and you can contact the municipality about collection, bins or recycling.
WhatThe municipality's responsibility for local streets and for clean drinking water and sewage treatment, so the tap and the drain work.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipality's technical service, often partly through a municipal company for water and sewage.
HowYou pay through fees and tax, you can report a broken street or a water leak, and you get information when there is an outage.
WhatThe municipality's work on environment and health, such as inspecting shops and businesses and checking noise, water and air.
WhoThe civil servants at the environmental office, who inspect and make decisions within the frame of environmental law.
HowYou can report nuisances such as bad smells or noise to the environmental office, which then investigates and can require action.
WhatThe handling of building permits and plans, that is, deciding what you may build and how land in the municipality should be used.
WhoThe civil servants in the building permit and planning department, who assess applications based on the detailed development plan and the planning and building act.
HowYou apply for a building permit from the municipality, you can get advice before applying, and you have the right to appeal if you are refused or affected by a permit.
Public services, optional
the municipality can choose to provideWhatActivities the municipality can choose to offer, such as sports facilities, swimming pools, youth centres and support to associations.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipality's recreation service, who run what is offered within the budget and goals the politicians have set.
HowYou use the facilities, you can apply for association support or book premises, and you can influence what is offered through the municipality's channels.
WhatThe municipality's optional cultural offering, such as libraries, the culture school, museums and support to cultural life and events locally.
WhoThe civil servants in the culture administration, who run the activity and hand out support within the politicians' budget and priorities.
HowYou make use of the library and the culture school, you can apply for cultural grants, and you can suggest investments through the municipality's feedback channels.
WhatThe municipality's own efforts to help people into work or meaningful occupation, on top of what the central government is responsible for.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipality's labour market service, who arrange the efforts within the frame the politicians have decided.
HowYou can turn to the municipality's labour market unit for support, work experience or guidance towards a job or studies.
WhatThe municipality's involvement in energy, often through a company that supplies district heating or electricity, plus advice on saving energy.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipality's energy service, usually in a municipal company with a politically appointed board.
HowYou can be a customer of the energy company, get free energy advice from the municipality, and see how prices and terms are set.
WhatThe municipality's work to make companies want to start, grow and stay, through service, land and contact with the business community.
WhoThe civil servants in the municipality's business function, who work within the politicians' goals to strengthen the local business community.
HowIf you run a business you can get guidance in your contact with the municipality, and take part in networks and dialogues about the area's development.
Companies and partnerships
WhatCompanies the municipality owns to handle tasks such as housing, water or energy, but in company form instead of within the administration.
WhoA politically appointed board leads the company, chosen by the politicians, while employees handle the day-to-day running.
HowYou meet the companies as a tenant or customer, and you can request many documents, since municipal companies are largely public.
WhatAn agreement where the municipality and a non-profit actor cooperate on a public task, beyond ordinary procurement. This is an idea-driven public partnership (idéburet offentligt partnerskap).
WhoAn actor outside the public sector, such as an association or a social enterprise, that enters the partnership together with the municipality.
HowYou can get involved in an association that seeks such cooperation, and take part in what the partnership offers in your municipality.
Regional
Healthcare and public transport, plus regional development and culture. The regional council (regionfullmäktige) decides, the regional tax (regionskatt) pays.
Regionfullmäktige
elected in the general electionsWhatThe region's highest decision-making assembly (regionfullmäktige), which sets the budget, the tax rate and the broad direction for healthcare and public transport.
WhoElected politicians you vote in at the regional election (regionvalet), held on the same day as the general election and the municipal election every four years.
HowYou can vote in the regional election, follow the meetings that are open to the public, and contact the members between elections.
WhatA smaller group within the assembly (utskott, a standing committee) that prepares and goes deeper into questions before the whole assembly makes a decision.
WhoElected politicians from the regional council (regionfullmäktige) who are appointed to work more closely on a particular subject area.
HowYou can read the committee's documents in the region's public records and contact the members to raise your question early in the process.
Regionstyrelsen
the region's leadershipWhatThe region's annual plan for what the money is to go to, where healthcare and public transport weigh heaviest.
WhoThe politicians on the regional executive board (regionstyrelsen) put forward the proposal, and the regional council (regionfullmäktige) decides on the final budget.
HowYou can read the budget proposal on the region's website and have an influence by contacting politicians or taking part in the debate before the decision.
WhatLarger investments such as new hospitals, rail lines and roads that the region plans and runs over several years.
WhoThe politicians on the regional executive board (regionstyrelsen) set priorities and decide, often in interplay with the central government and the municipalities.
HowYou can follow the plans in the region's documents, give your views at public consultations (samråd), and influence the direction through your elected representatives.
WhatThe political decisions about buses, trains and the metro: routes, frequency, ticket prices and which areas are to be served.
WhoThe politicians on the regional executive board (regionstyrelsen), since it is the region that is responsible for public transport in the county.
HowYou travel with the service every day and can give your views on routes and prices through the region's channels and your elected representatives.
WhatAn overarching document (regionplan) that points out how the region is to develop in the long term, for example where building is to happen and how transport is to grow.
WhoThe politicians on the regional executive board (regionstyrelsen) draw up the plan, which is then decided by the regional council (regionfullmäktige).
HowYou can read the plan and give your views during the public consultation (samråd), when the region asks residents and municipalities what they think.
WhatThe political bodies (nämnder, committees) that steer each subject area, such as the healthcare committee or the transport committee.
WhoElected politicians whom the regional executive board (regionstyrelsen) appoints to lead and follow up a specific area.
HowYou can see which committees exist on the region's website, read their minutes, and contact the members about your question.
Regionförvaltningen
politics sets the frameWhatThe region's biggest task: health centres, hospitals and specialist care that exist for all residents.
WhoPublic officials and healthcare staff in the region's administration, within the frame and budget that the politicians have set.
HowYou meet healthcare as a patient and can give your views or complaints through the healthcare patients' committee (patientnämnd) if something goes wrong.
WhatThe dental care the region is responsible for, including free dental care for children and young people up to a certain age.
WhoPublic officials and staff in the public dental service (folktandvården), which is run by the region's administration.
HowYou can book an appointment with the public dental service and turn to the patients' committee (patientnämnd) if you have complaints about the care you received.
WhatThe work of strengthening the county's growth, labour market and business, often together with municipalities and the central government.
WhoPublic officials in the region's administration, who carry out the policy that the elected representatives have decided.
HowYou can take part in the region's development strategies and influence the direction through public consultations (samråd) and your elected politicians.
WhatThe day-to-day running of public transport: planning routes, procuring services and making sure buses and trains keep running.
WhoPublic officials in the region's transport administration, within the frame that the politicians have decided.
HowYou travel with the service and can report faults, give your views and find information through the transport administration's customer service and website.
WhatThe region's voluntary investments in culture, such as support for theatres, museums, libraries and cultural life in the county.
WhoPublic officials in the region's administration, based on the budget and the priorities the politicians have made.
HowYou can take part in what culture is on offer and apply for support or grants, and influence the priorities through your elected representatives.
WhatThe region's voluntary education, often folk high schools (folkhögskolor) and other adult education the region chooses to run.
WhoPublic officials in the region's administration, within the frame the elected representatives have decided.
HowYou can apply to the region's folk high schools and courses and find what is on offer on the region's website.
WhatThe region's voluntary work to attract visitors and strengthen tourism in the county.
WhoPublic officials in the region's administration, often together with municipalities and companies in the visitor industry.
HowYou can take part in the region's visitor information and, as a business owner, cooperate with the region's tourism work.
WhatThe daily care you actually meet: clinics, the emergency department, operations and the staff who take care of you.
WhoPublic officials and healthcare staff in the region's administration, who carry out the care within the frame set by politics.
HowYou meet healthcare as a patient, can choose a health centre, and turn to the patients' committee (patientnämnd) if you want to complain or get help.
Companies
WhatCompanies the region owns to run a particular activity, for example transport companies such as SL in Stockholm.
WhoThe companies are led by a board that the politicians appoint, so the owner control is ultimately political.
HowYou meet the companies as a passenger or customer and can have an influence through the region's elected representatives, who set the owner directives.
Coordination
The bodies that tie the levels together and link the municipalities with each other and with the central government.
Central government towards region and municipality
WhatThe County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) is the central government's extended arm out in the counties, making sure decisions by the Riksdag and the Government take effect and coordinating much at the local level.
WhoIt is a national agency led by public officials, with a county governor (landshövding) at its head whom the Government appoints.
HowYou meet the County Administrative Board in matters such as appealed building permits, animal welfare and nature conservation, and you can turn to it to report or appeal.
Municipalities and regions together
WhatSveriges Kommuner och Regioner, SKR, is the membership organisation where all municipalities and regions come together to pursue common questions and support one another.
WhoIt is run by elected politicians from the members, even though an office organisation of public officials does much of the work.
HowYou mostly meet SKR indirectly, but their recommendations and agreements affect your municipality (kommun), and you can read their open comparisons yourself.
WhatStorsthlm is the cooperation where the municipalities of Stockholm county join forces to solve questions that are shared and hard to handle on their own.
WhoIt is run by the municipalities together, with an office organisation of public officials and a political leadership from the member municipalities.
HowYou meet Storsthlm indirectly through the common solutions they produce, for example within upper-secondary and adult education in the region.
WhatMälardalsrådet is a cooperation forum for municipalities and regions around Lake Mälaren, where they work together on questions such as infrastructure and regional development.
WhoIt is carried by the members' elected politicians, with an office organisation of public officials that drives the work between meetings.
HowYou meet the council indirectly through what it pursues, such as advocacy for better transport links in the Mälardalen area.
WhatSamverkan Stockholmsregionen is the cooperation that ties together the actors in the county to handle crises and disruptions to society together.
WhoAt its core it is public officials from municipalities, the region, the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) and other agencies who coordinate with one another.
HowYou rarely meet the cooperation directly, but it shows in how quickly and in a coordinated way the county can act when something serious happens.
The EU and the supranational level
Much of the power sits above Sweden. The EU makes rules that apply here, sometimes directly, and Swedish politicians help to decide in Brussels.
The institutions
who decides in the EUWhatThe European Commission (Europeiska kommissionen) is the EU's executive body, which proposes new laws, watches over that the rules are followed and runs the day-to-day operation.
WhoPolitically appointed commissioners, one from each member state, with a large staff of civil servants in Brussels.
HowYou can follow the Commission's proposals, respond to its public consultations and make a difference through Swedish members of the European Parliament and the Government.
WhatThe European Parliament (Europaparlamentet) is the EU's elected assembly, which together with the Council of Ministers decides on laws and the budget.
WhoElected members of parliament from all member states, including the Swedish ones that you vote in at the European Parliament election.
HowYou vote in the European Parliament election every five years and can contact the Swedish members on issues that concern you.
WhatThe Council of Ministers (Ministerrådet) is where the member states' governments decide on the EU's laws, together with the European Parliament.
WhoPoliticians in the form of ministers from each country's government, so a Swedish minister represents Sweden in the Council.
HowYou make a difference indirectly by voting in the general election (to the Riksdag), because the Government represents Sweden in the Council of Ministers.
WhatThe European Council (Europeiska rådet) is the summit where the EU's heads of state and government set out the broad political direction, without making laws.
WhoPoliticians in the form of the member states' leaders, so Sweden's prime minister sits at the table.
HowYou make a difference indirectly via the general election (to the Riksdag), because it decides who becomes prime minister and represents Sweden.
WhatThe Court of Justice of the EU (EU-domstolen) is the court that interprets EU law and settles disputes, with rulings that apply in all member states.
WhoJudges, one appointed from each member state, who rule independently and are not steered by politics.
HowYou rarely meet the court directly, but its rulings shape the rules that apply to you, and Swedish courts can ask it for an interpretation.
WhatThe European Central Bank (Europeiska centralbanken) is the bank that manages the euro and monetary policy for the countries that have the euro as their currency.
WhoCivil servants in an independent central bank, separate from the governments and from day-to-day politics.
HowSweden has the krona, so the bank affects you mostly indirectly through interest rates and the economy, not through decisions you meet directly.
What governs
the EU's toolsWhatThe treaties (fördragen) are the EU's basic rules, which set out what the union may do and how decisions are to be made, much like a constitutional law.
WhoPoliticians in the member states' governments and parliaments, who together negotiate and approve the treaties.
HowYou make a difference indirectly via the general election (to the Riksdag), because Sweden's government and Riksdag help to negotiate the treaties.
WhatEU regulations (förordningar) are EU rules that apply directly in Sweden, without the Riksdag having to turn them into Swedish law.
WhoDecided by the politicians in the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, on a proposal from the Commission.
HowThe rules apply to you directly, and you make a difference through the European Parliament election and through Swedish members of parliament and the Government.
WhatEU directives (direktiv) are EU rules that set a goal, but which the Riksdag then turns into Swedish law in its own way.
WhoDecided by the politicians in the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, and then implemented by the Riksdag.
HowYou can make a difference both in the European Parliament election and in the general election (to the Riksdag), because the Riksdag decides how the directive becomes Swedish law.
WhatThe internal market is the common market where goods, services, capital and people move freely between the EU countries.
WhoIt rests on decisions by the politicians in the EU's institutions, and is watched over by the Commission and the Court of Justice of the EU.
HowYou meet it when you shop, travel, work or study in another EU country without border barriers.
WhatThe EU budget is the EU's common purse, into which the member states pay fees and out of which support is paid, for example farm subsidies.
WhoDecided by the politicians in the member states' governments and the European Parliament, on a proposal from the Commission.
HowYou make a difference indirectly via the European Parliament election and the general election (to the Riksdag), and you can take part in support that the EU finances in Sweden.
Your way in
as a citizenWhatYour vote, which decides who is to represent Sweden in the European Parliament.
WhoYou yourself as a voter, together with everyone else eligible to vote in Sweden and the rest of the EU.
HowYou vote every five years, and you can mark a single candidate to affect which people actually go to Brussels.
WhatThe Swedish members of the European Parliament, who are your direct link into the EU's law-making.
WhoElected politicians whom you yourself help to vote in at the European Parliament election.
HowYou can get in touch with them directly with questions and views, because they represent you in the parliament.
WhatA tool where one million names from several EU countries can ask the Commission to propose a new law.
WhoYou and other citizens in the EU, who together can put an issue on the Commission's table.
HowYou can start or sign an initiative, and if enough people do so, the Commission must take a position on the issue.
WhatOccasions when the Commission asks the public what they think before a new proposal is drawn up.
WhoYou and other citizens, companies and organisations who want to submit views to the Commission.
HowYou can respond to the consultations on the Commission's website and in that way help to shape new EU rules early on.
Laws
The framework everything rests on, from the fundamental laws (grundlagarna) down to regional and municipal regulations.
The constitution (grundlagen)
the highest levelWhatRegeringsformen is the fundamental law (grundlag) that describes how Sweden is governed, how power is divided and which freedoms and rights you have.
WhoIt applies to everyone who exercises public power, and civil servants and courts must make sure decisions stay within it.
HowYou can lean on the freedoms and rights in regeringsformen if a public agency goes too far, and have such decisions reviewed.
WhatSuccessionsordningen is the fundamental law (grundlag) that regulates who inherits the throne and becomes Sweden's head of state.
WhoIt concerns the head of state, that is, the monarch, and is applied by those who handle the formal side of the system of government.
HowYou hardly meet it in everyday life, but it explains why the royal house looks the way it does and why the line of succession runs as it does.
WhatTryckfrihetsförordningen protects the right to print and spread the written word and gives you the right to access official documents.
WhoIt binds public agencies and their civil servants, who must hand out official documents and may not hunt for sources.
HowYou use it every time you request an official document from a public agency, something you have the right to do without explaining why.
WhatYttrandefrihetsgrundlagen protects the freedom to express yourself on radio, TV, film and the web, that is, in media other than print.
WhoIt binds the public sector and its civil servants, who may not censor or punish such expression in advance.
HowYou are covered by it when you express yourself in protected media, and it also safeguards the right to be an anonymous source to them.
Other statutes
WhatThe national laws are the rules that apply throughout the country and are gathered in the Swedish Code of Statutes (SFS), everything from the criminal code to the education act.
WhoThe Riksdag makes the laws, and civil servants in public agencies and courts apply them in their decisions.
HowYou can look up the laws in force freely on the Riksdag's website, and they decide what you are entitled to and what is required of you.
WhatRegional statutes are the binding rules a region decides for its area, gathered in its own code of statutes.
WhoThe region's elected representatives decide on them, and the civil servants in the region apply them in the daily work.
HowYou can look at the region's code of statutes to see which local rules apply, for example around fees and charges.
WhatMunicipal statutes are the binding rules your municipality (kommun) decides itself, such as local public order rules, charges and fees.
WhoThe municipality's elected representatives in the council (fullmäktige) or committees (nämnder) decide on them, and the administration's civil servants apply them.
HowYou find the municipality's code of statutes on its website and can see exactly which local rules apply where you live.
The citizen
Your democratic options, at the election and between elections. These are the paths open to everyone.
At the election
person and partyWhatEvery four years you choose who will govern your municipality (kommun) and your region, that is, schools, care, public transport and health care.
WhoYou yourself hold the vote, and the elected representatives you vote in become the politicians who make the decisions in the council (fullmäktige).
HowYou vote with a ballot paper, and you can both choose a party and mark a cross for a person you want to see elected.
WhatEvery four years you choose which 349 members will sit in the Riksdag and make the country's laws and decide on the central government budget.
WhoYou yourself hold the vote, and those you vote in become the elected politicians who govern at the national level.
HowYou vote at the same time as in the municipal and regional elections, and a personal cross can lift a candidate you particularly want to get in.
WhatA vote where the voters get to say their view directly on a single issue, instead of the issue being decided only by those elected.
WhoYou yourself vote, but it is the politicians who decide to hold the vote, and at the national level the result is usually advisory.
HowWhen a referendum has been called you vote as usual, and you can follow and take part in the debate about the issue beforehand.
Between elections
outside the electionWhatA service in many municipalities where you can quickly report a fault such as a broken streetlight or a littered park, or leave a comment.
WhoIt is received by civil servants in the municipal administration (förvaltning), who are responsible for getting the fault to the right place and fixed.
HowYou download the app or go to the municipality's website, describe what you saw and can often follow the case until it is done.
WhatA written proposal that you as a resident can submit to the council (fullmäktige) about something you want your municipality (kommun) or region to do.
WhoThe proposal is received and considered by the elected politicians, although not every municipality still keeps this option.
HowYou write down your proposal and submit it to the municipality or the region, which takes it up and gives you an answer.
WhatA tool where a large enough share of the residents, with their signatures, can demand a local referendum on an issue.
WhoThe initiative is carried by you and other residents, while the council (fullmäktige) decides whether the vote will actually be held.
HowYou gather signatures from other people eligible to vote in the municipality or the region and submit them, and then the issue has to be considered by the council.
WhatA stage where the municipality asks those affected what they think before a decision is made, often about plans for building and how the land is to be used.
WhoThe consultation is held by civil servants in the administration (förvaltning), but it is the politicians who then weigh the views into the decision.
HowYou can read the proposal during the consultation period and submit written views, which is especially valuable if you live or work in the area.
WhatAn organised conversation where the municipality or the region invites residents to listen to thoughts and ideas ahead of an upcoming decision.
WhoThe dialogue is arranged by the political side and the administration (förvaltning) together, and it is often advisory rather than binding.
HowYou can take part in a meeting, a workshop or a survey and bring forward your experience of how an issue looks where you live.
Shaping opinion
Forming opinion in public, so that an issue becomes hard to walk past.
Ways to be heard
WhatTo gather and march together in the public space to show what you think on an issue and make it visible to others.
WhoIt is you and others in civil society who hold it, and the right to demonstrate is protected in the constitution (grundlagen).
HowYou can join a demonstration or arrange your own, and a demonstration in a public place usually has to be notified to the Police (Polisen) in advance.
WhatA gathering in one place to show support or opposition on an issue, often calmer and more stationary than a marching demonstration.
WhoIt is carried by you and others who care, and like the demonstration it rests on freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.
HowYou can join a manifestation or start one yourself, and a gathering in a public place is as a rule notified to the Police (Polisen).
WhatTo try to have a direct effect through a concrete act, for example by physically blocking or disrupting something you want to stop.
WhoIt is used by activists and movements outside the public sector, and some forms can be illegal even if the aim is to shape opinion.
HowYou often meet it in the news, and if you are considering an action yourself it is good to know where the line to breaking the law runs.
WhatTo gather many people's signatures behind a demand, to show decision makers how large the support for an issue is.
WhoIt is run by you and others, and unlike a local referendum initiative (folkinitiativ), an ordinary signature collection binds no one to act.
HowYou can sign a list that already exists or start your own, on paper or online, and spread it further.
WhatA text where you argue for your position in a newspaper or online and try to convince others and influence the conversation.
WhoIt is written by you as a citizen or by an organisation, and the editorial staff decides what gets published.
HowYou state your view clearly and send it to a newspaper's opinion section, ideally when the issue is current.
WhatTo raise an issue or a wrongdoing in the news media so that more people notice it and decision makers feel the pressure.
WhoIt builds on you who want to tell and on journalists who scrutinise, and the freedom to communicate (meddelarfriheten) protects the person who gives a tip.
HowYou can tip off an editorial staff, agree to an interview or tell your story, and you have the right to be anonymous towards the press.
WhatA written proposal to the council (fullmäktige) about something you want your municipality (kommun) or region to do, which also puts a spotlight on the issue.
WhoIt is received by the elected politicians, but the option no longer exists in every municipality.
HowYou write down the proposal and submit it, and you can at the same time talk about it openly to gather support for the idea.
WhatTo deliberately avoid a product, a company or a country to make a point and put economic pressure on an issue.
WhoIt is carried by you and other consumers, and it gains force only when many do the same thing at the same time.
HowYou refrain from buying and say why, ideally together with others so that the message reaches the one it concerns.
Appeal and report
The right to scrutinise those in power and have wrong decisions reviewed. Much of it is free and open to everyone.
Appeal a decision
WhatTo ask a higher court to review a judgment again if you think it came out wrong, so that a mistake can be corrected.
WhoThe matter is reviewed by the judges in a higher instance, and to have it taken up you sometimes need a special leave to appeal.
HowYou follow the appeal instructions (överklagandehänvisning) that come with the judgment and submit your appeal in time, usually within a few weeks.
WhatA review (laglighetsprövning) where the administrative court (förvaltningsrätt) checks whether a municipal decision was made the right way and stays within the limits of the law.
WhoIt is reviewed by the court's lawyers, and it can be requested by anyone who is a member of the municipality (kommun) or region.
HowYou submit your request to the administrative court within a few weeks of the decision being posted, and the court can quash it but not change it.
WhatTo appeal a decision that affects you personally (förvaltningsbesvär), for example a refused building permit (bygglov) or refused support, and ask to have it changed.
WhoThe matter is reviewed by a court or a higher public agency, and only you who are actually affected by the decision may appeal.
HowYou follow the information that comes with the decision and appeal in time, and here the decision can be both quashed and changed on the merits.
Report through an ombudsman or supervisory body
WhatThe Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO) checks that public agencies and public officials follow the law and treat people correctly in their dealings with the public.
WhoJO is elected by the Riksdag (Sweden's parliament) and stands independent from the Government and the agencies that are scrutinised.
HowYou can report for free if you think a public agency has treated you or someone else wrongly, even though JO cannot change the decision itself.
WhatThe Chancellor of Justice (JK) is the state's lawyer who, among other things, scrutinises public agencies and can review claims for damages when the state has done wrong.
WhoJK is appointed by the Government and represents the state, while the role also means scrutinising the public sector.
HowYou can turn to JK with a complaint or a claim for damages if you think the state has caused you harm.
WhatThe Equality Ombudsman (DO) works against discrimination and watches that the law protecting against unfair treatment is followed in working life and society.
WhoDO is a public agency led by public officials and works independently from the party that is reported.
HowYou can report for free if you feel discriminated against on grounds such as sex, origin, disability or age.
WhatThe Consumer Ombudsman (KO) watches over consumers' interests and can act against companies that mislead or use unfair terms.
WhoKO is part of the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket), a public agency, and represents consumers as a group.
HowYou can give a tip or report if you have come across misleading advertising or unreasonable contract terms, so the problem can be examined.
WhatThe Child and School Student Representative (Barn- och elevombudet) helps pupils who have been subjected to bullying or abuse at school and can claim compensation for them.
WhoThe representative is part of the Schools Inspectorate (Skolinspektionen), a public agency, and works independently in support of the pupil.
HowYou or your child can report if the school has not stopped abuse, so the matter is investigated and the school's responsible authority (huvudman) can be forced to act.
WhatThe Police (Polismyndigheten) investigate suspected crimes, and this is where you turn to file a police report when something criminal has happened.
WhoThe Police are a public agency whose work is carried out by public officials, from officers on patrol to investigators.
HowYou report a crime at a police station, by phone or online, and if there is danger in progress you call the emergency number.
WhatThe board (Säkerhets- och integritetsskyddsnämnden) checks that the police and other public agencies use secret interception and surveillance in a lawful way.
WhoIt is an independent state body with members who scrutinise the law enforcement agencies.
HowYou can ask the board to check whether you have been subjected to secret surveillance, and it then tells you that the check has been carried out.
WhatThe Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) is the supervisory agency for health and social care and checks that it is safe and of acceptable quality.
WhoIVO is a public agency led by public officials and works independently from the care providers it scrutinises.
HowYou can report if you think you or a relative have received wrong or risky health or social care, so that IVO can examine it.
WhatThe Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) watches over how companies and public agencies handle your personal data and that they follow the data protection rules.
WhoIMY is a public agency led by public officials and works independently in its supervision.
HowYou can lodge a complaint if you think someone has handled your personal data the wrong way, so the matter can be examined.
Public officials with power
Those who exercise power through their work in a public agency (myndighet) or administration. Their decisions affect individuals directly.
Police
WhatThe Police's right to stop, question, body-search and watch people and places in order to prevent and investigate crime.
WhoPolice officers, that is public officials in the Police (Polismyndigheten), who work on behalf of the central government and are not elected.
HowYou meet it during a stop or in a place the police are watching, and you have the right to ask why and to ask to speak to a supervisor.
WhatThe Police's authority to use physical force or coercion as a last resort, when it is needed and is reasonably proportionate to the situation.
WhoThe individual police officer, a public official in the Police (Polismyndigheten), who is responsible for staying within the limits of the law.
HowIf you think the police used overly harsh methods, you can report it, and serious cases are investigated by a special unit for police matters.
WhatThe Police's right to temporarily take charge of a person, for example someone who is heavily intoxicated or disturbing public order, and to hold them for a short time.
WhoPolice officers, public officials in the Police (Polismyndigheten), who make the decision on the spot based on their powers.
HowIf you or someone close to you is taken into custody, you have the right to be told why, and the decision can be questioned and reported afterwards.
Prosecutor
WhatThe decision to hold someone suspected of a crime while the investigation moves forward or while waiting for a custody hearing.
WhoA prosecutor (åklagare), a public official at the Prosecution Authority (Åklagarmyndigheten), who leads the preliminary investigation but is not elected.
HowA person who is detained has the right to a defence lawyer, and the prosecutor's decision is reviewed quickly by a court if it is to continue.
WhatThe decision to prosecute, that is to bring a suspect before a court and ask the court to decide whether the person is guilty.
WhoA prosecutor (åklagare), a public official at the Prosecution Authority (Åklagarmyndigheten), who judges whether the evidence is enough for a conviction.
HowAs an injured party or a witness you can be called to the trial, and as a suspect you have the right to a defence lawyer who represents you.
Court
WhatThe court's decision to convict someone of a crime or to settle a dispute, with a penalty or damages as the result.
WhoJudges and lay judges (nämndemän) in a court, public officials and laypeople who judge independently without taking orders from politics.
HowYou meet it if you stand trial or take a dispute there, and you almost always have the right to appeal the judgment to a higher court.
WhatThe court's decision to acquit a charged person, that is the evidence is not enough for a conviction and the person goes free.
WhoJudges and lay judges (nämndemän) in a court, who must be convinced of guilt in order to convict someone.
HowYou meet it as a charged person or as a party to the case, and even an acquittal can in some cases be appealed by the prosecutor.
WhatA guiding ruling from the highest court (prejudikat) that shows how an unclear law should be interpreted and that governs similar future cases.
WhoThe highest courts, whose judges are public officials who, through their rulings, set the frame for how the law is read across the whole country.
HowYou rarely meet them directly, but they decide how your own case can be judged, and they are public and can be read and referred to.
WhatThe pattern of how courts actually rule in similar cases over time (praxis), which fills in what the text of the law does not spell out.
WhoThe courts together, whose combined rulings form a praxis that judges and agencies then follow.
HowPraxis often decides the outcome of your case, and a legal representative can lean on earlier rulings to strengthen your position.
Social services
WhatThe decision to place a child outside the home when the child is at risk of harm, sometimes urgently and sometimes after a longer assessment.
WhoThe social services (socialtjänst) in your municipality (kommun), that is public officials in an administration, often after a decision in a committee (nämnd) or a court.
HowAs a parent or child you have the right to information, to the support of a representative, and to have compulsory decisions reviewed by a court.
WhatThe decision to grant or refuse income support (försörjningsstöd), that is money for food, rent and other essentials when your income is not enough.
WhoSocial workers in your municipality's social services (socialtjänst), public officials who assess your right based on the law and the municipality's guidelines.
HowYou apply to your municipality (kommun), and if you are refused you have the right to get the decision in writing and to appeal it to the administrative court (förvaltningsrätt).
School
WhatThe school's mission to give all pupils the knowledge and skills they need to be able to take part in society.
WhoPrincipals and teachers in the school, public officials in a municipal or independent administration, who work from the national curriculum (läroplan).
HowYou meet it as a pupil or guardian, and if you think a pupil is not getting the support they are entitled to, you can turn to the principal.
WhatThe school's mission to equip pupils for work, further study and an independent adult life, not just for exams.
WhoTeachers, study and career counsellors and principals, public officials in the school's administration who follow the goals of the curriculum (läroplan).
HowAs a pupil or parent you can ask for study guidance, and dialogue with the school is the way to influence what the support looks like.
Other public agencies
WhatThe decision to grant or refuse benefits such as sickness benefit, parental benefit and housing allowance, based on the rules that apply.
WhoCaseworkers at the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), public officials in a national agency, who assess your application against the law.
HowYou apply to the agency, and if you are refused you have the right to ask for a review and then to appeal to a court.
WhatSupport and measures to help you into a job, plus decisions that affect your right to benefit when you are unemployed.
WhoCaseworkers at the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), public officials in a national agency, together with independent unemployment funds (a-kassor) that pay out the benefit.
HowYou register with the agency to receive the support, and decisions that concern you can be sent for review and appealed.
WhatThe decision to grant student finance, that is grants and loans for studies, and later to reclaim the loan.
WhoCaseworkers at CSN, public officials in a national agency, who assess your application based on the rules for student finance.
HowYou apply to the agency, and if you are refused or think a claim is wrong, you can ask for a review and appeal.
Universities and university colleges
WhatHow the institution turns the Government's annual mission and funding into practice through its appropriation directions (regleringsbrev): which programmes and which research are prioritised.
WhoManagement and public officials at universities and university colleges, who have wide freedom to interpret the central government's mission themselves.
HowYou meet the result in the course offering, and as a student you can have an influence through the student union and course evaluations.
WhatThe research that produces new knowledge and the facts and conclusions that then shape both public debate and political decisions.
WhoResearchers and teachers at universities and university colleges, public officials with wide freedom to seek and test knowledge freely.
HowYou take part in it through open lectures, popular science and publications, and much research is public and free to read.
WhatThe rules and the selection that decide who gets into a programme, based on grades, the national university aptitude test (högskoleprovet) and other merits.
WhoThe institutions and the shared admissions service, public officials who apply national rules for selection and eligibility.
HowYou apply through the joint admissions service, and if you think an admission decision is wrong, you can ask for a review.
Capital owners
Power through ownership: companies, land and property. Decisions that shape jobs, prices and how places are used.
Companies
WhatWhat a company chooses to do and offer, which shapes the supply of goods and services in a place.
WhoOwners and management in private companies, that is, actors outside the public sector who control their own operations.
HowYou meet it as a customer, employee or neighbour, and you influence it through your choices, your views and ultimately your vote in the election about the rules.
WhatThe company's power to create or cut jobs, which decides much about a town's economy and people's security.
WhoOwners and management in private companies, actors outside the public sector who decide on hiring and closures.
HowYou are affected as an employee or jobseeker, and the union and the collective agreement (kollektivavtal) are the most common ways to influence the terms.
WhatHow a company sets wages, which decides what work pays and how large the gaps become between different groups.
WhoThe employer in a private company, an actor outside the public sector, often within the frame of a collective agreement (kollektivavtal) with the union.
HowYou meet it in your own pay, and the union negotiates for its members while you yourself can negotiate your salary at hiring and at appraisal talks.
WhatThe company's capital and profit, that is, the resources that can be invested, saved or paid out and that give economic weight.
WhoOwners and investors in private companies, actors outside the public sector who decide how the money is used.
HowYou meet it indirectly as a customer and employee, and as a consumer and citizen you influence it through your choices and the tax rules that politics sets.
WhatThe company's ability to shape, through ads and campaigns, what we want, notice and find normal.
WhoCompanies and their marketers, actors outside the public sector, who must however stay within the Marketing Act.
HowYou meet it daily, and misleading advertising you can report to the Consumer Ombudsman (Konsumentombudsmannen), who examines it and can step in.
WhatThe company's power to decide what goods and services cost, which affects your economy and what you can afford.
WhoSelling companies, actors outside the public sector, who set their prices but may not make unlawful price agreements with each other.
HowYou influence it by comparing and choosing not to buy, and suspected price collusion between companies can be examined by the Swedish Competition Authority (Konkurrensverket).
Landowners
WhatThe landowner's influence over how land is used, managed or kept untouched, within the limits that the plan and the law set.
WhoWhoever owns the land, often a private actor or a company outside the public sector, but sometimes also the state or the municipality (kommun).
HowYou meet it as a neighbour or visitor, and the right of public access (allemansrätten) along with the municipality's plans and building permits (bygglov) set frames you can refer to and influence.
WhatThe right to let someone else use the land for a fee (arrende, a lease of land), for example for farming, a summer cottage or a business.
WhoThe landowner, an actor outside the public sector, who signs a contract with the person leasing the land.
HowIf you meet it as a leaseholder, the terms are governed by contract and law, and disputes can be tried in a special leasehold tribunal (arrendenämnd).
Property owners
WhatThe property owner's power over how a building is used and managed, which shapes how a street, a block or a place works.
WhoWhoever owns the property, often a private actor or a company outside the public sector, but sometimes a municipal housing company.
HowYou meet it as a tenant or neighbour, and the municipality's detailed development plan (detaljplan) and building permit (bygglov) govern what may be done, which you can influence in the public consultation (samråd).
WhatThe property owner's power in the relationship with those who rent, that is, who gets a contract and what applies in the housing.
WhoThe landlord, an actor outside the public sector, but often also a public housing company owned by the municipality (kommun).
HowAs a tenant you have strong security of tenure, and the tenants' association (hyresgästföreningen) represents you while disputes can be tried in the rent tribunal (hyresnämnd).
WhatWhat it costs to rent a home or premises, which decides who can afford to live or operate where.
WhoThe property owner, an actor outside the public sector, who for housing, however, often sets the rent in negotiation with the tenants' side.
HowYou meet it in your own rent, and if you think it is unreasonable, you and the tenants' association (hyresgästföreningen) can have it tried in the rent tribunal (hyresnämnd).
WhatThe property owner's responsibility to look after and renovate the building, which decides how safe and good it is to live or operate there.
WhoThe landlord or property owner, an actor outside the public sector, who is obliged to keep the home in usable condition.
HowAs a tenant you can demand that faults be fixed, and if that does not happen you can turn to the rent tribunal (hyresnämnd) to get it put right.
Other actors
Media, organisations and trade unions that shape the agenda and represent groups.
Media
WhatThe media's ability to raise certain questions and let others lie still, which decides what society is talking about for the moment.
WhoEditorial desks and news media, that is, actors outside the public sector who themselves choose what they cover and how much space it gets.
HowYou meet it every day in feeds and headlines, and you can yourself tip off editorial desks or raise questions you think are missing.
WhatWhen the media, through editorials, columns and angles, help shape how people see a question.
WhoNewspapers, radio, TV and online media, which stand outside the public sector but have great impact on the debate.
HowYou can read several sources to see different perspectives, and yourself write letters to the editor or opinion pieces.
WhatThe force that lies in a question or a person suddenly getting a lot of space and becoming hard to pass by.
WhoThe media, which through their choices of what to report on hand out the spotlight, entirely outside the control of the public sector.
HowYou meet it in what trends, and you can contribute by sharing, commenting or contacting a journalist.
WhatThe media's role of examining those in power, exposing wrongs and asking questions that otherwise would not have been asked.
WhoJournalists and editorial desks, independent from the state, often called the third estate precisely for this scrutinising role.
HowYou benefit from the scrutiny as a reader, and you can yourself tip off editorial desks about things you think should be brought to light.
Organisations
WhatWhen an organisation becomes the obvious voice on a certain question and others turn there for answers.
WhoInterest organisations and associations in civil society, outside the public sector, that have built up knowledge and credibility in their field.
HowYou can become a member, take part in their knowledge or turn to them when you want to push the question.
WhatWhen an organisation speaks and negotiates in its members' name and thereby weighs more than a single voice.
WhoAssociations and federations in civil society, independent from the public sector, that have been given a mandate by their members to represent them.
HowYou can join an organisation that pushes your question, and have your voice amplified through them.
WhatOrganisations' work to move opinion in their direction through campaigns, reports and lobbying.
WhoInterest organisations and popular movements outside the public sector, that want to influence both decision-makers and the public.
HowYou meet them in campaigns and statements, and you can get involved if you share their cause.
Think tanks
WhatThink tanks' way of influencing by producing ideas, reports and source material that decision-makers and commentators pick up.
WhoIndependent idea institutes outside the public sector, often with a certain set of values or a funder behind them.
HowYou can read their reports with a critical eye, and consider who is behind them and why.
The labour market parties (arbetsmarknadens parter)
In Sweden, the labour market parties, the unions and the employers, often settle things between themselves, without the central government stepping in. That gives both sides a power of their own.
The union (facket)
the employees' sideWhatWhen the union sits down with the employer to agree on pay, working hours and conditions.
WhoThe unions (fackförbund), the employees' own organisations outside the public sector, which represent their members in the negotiation.
HowYou get the result at your workplace, and you can join the union to help shape it.
WhatThe employees' strongest pressure: to stop work together in order to push in a negotiation.
WhoThe unions (fackförbund), which stand outside the public sector and can call a strike when the two sides fail to agree.
HowYou notice strikes when parts of society stop, and as a member you are yourself covered by an industrial action by your union.
WhatAn agreement between the union and the employer that sets pay and conditions for a whole sector, not just one person.
WhoUnions (fackförbund) and employers together, parties outside the public sector that settle things without the central government stepping in.
HowYou are often covered by a collective agreement at work, and you can check which agreement applies where you work.
WhatThe union's role of speaking for the employees towards the employer, both in general and in individual cases.
WhoThe unions (fackförbund) and their elected representatives, outside the public sector, with a mandate from the members to speak on their behalf.
HowYou can turn to the union if you run into problems at work, and get support and advice.
The employers (arbetsgivarna)
the companies' sideWhatAssociations where companies join together to negotiate with the unions and pursue their shared interests.
WhoThe employers' own organisations, for example Svenskt Näringsliv, which stand outside the public sector and represent the companies.
HowYou mostly meet them in the debate about jobs and rules, and you can read their reports and statements.
WhatThe employer's counterpart to a strike: to shut employees out of work in order to push in a conflict.
WhoThe employers and their organisations, outside the public sector, which can use a lockout when the two sides disagree.
HowYou notice it if a workplace is closed during a conflict, which is unusual but allowed in the model.
WhatWhen the employer side influences laws by answering formal referrals (remiss) and pushing their issues in the public debate.
WhoThe employers' organisations, independent of the public sector but often invited to comment on proposals that concern business.
HowYou can read their referral responses, which are public, to see how they want to influence a bill.
WhatCompanies' decisions about where they hire and put their money, which decides where jobs grow.
WhoThe employers themselves, that is, companies outside the public sector that run their own hiring and investment.
HowYou are affected as a job seeker and resident, and you can look for work, start your own business or get involved in local business life.
The Swedish model (den svenska modellen)
the rules of the gameWhatThe basic idea that the union and the employer settle pay and conditions themselves, while the central government stays out of it.
WhoThe labour market parties, that is, unions and employers outside the public sector, which together carry responsibility for the rules of the game.
HowYou meet the model through the collective agreements at your workplace, and you can influence it through membership in a union or an employers' organisation.
WhatHelp from the outside to bring the union and the employer together when a negotiation has stalled, so that a conflict can be avoided.
WhoThe National Mediation Office (Medlingsinstitutet), a public agency with civil servants, but the deal itself still belongs to the two parties.
HowYou notice the mediation indirectly when a looming conflict is resolved, and you can follow the situation through the news coverage.
WhatThe strongly protected right to take a stand in the labour market, for example through a strike or a lockout.
WhoBoth unions and employers, parties outside the public sector, which within certain limits may use industrial action.
HowYou are affected by it as an employee, and you can learn what applies through your union or your employer.
Digital platforms
A modern form of power: the platforms decide what is seen and shared, and who gets heard. They set the agenda without being elected.
The power of the platforms
WhatThe automatic selections that decide what you get to see in a feed, and thereby which messages are passed on.
WhoThe private platform companies, outside the public sector, which design and adjust their own algorithms.
HowYou meet them every time you scroll, and you can often adjust settings, follow widely and search actively yourself.
WhatThe platforms' power to decide who reaches many people and who is barely seen at all.
WhoThe platform companies themselves, private actors outside the public sector, which set the terms for how far a post spreads.
HowYou are affected as both a reader and a sender, and you can stay aware that visibility is not the same thing as truth.
WhatThe platforms' decisions about what gets to stay and what is removed, and which accounts are suspended.
WhoThe platform companies, private actors outside the public sector, which apply their own rules for content.
HowYou meet it if a post is hidden or an account is suspended, and you can usually appeal the decision to the platform.
WhatThe platforms' collection of traces from what we do online, which can be used to map and predict behaviour.
WhoThe platform companies, private actors outside the public sector, which collect and process information about their users.
HowYou leave traces when you use the services, and you can go through privacy settings and request or delete your data.
WhatAds tailored to small audiences based on what the platform knows about them, so different people see different messages.
WhoThe platform companies and the advertisers who buy the space, all outside the public sector.
HowYou meet it as tailored ads, and you can often see why you got an ad and limit the targeting in the settings.
Actors on the platforms
WhatPeople who have built up a large reach and trust among their followers and can therefore influence opinions and habits.
WhoPrivate individuals and creators outside the public sector, who sometimes work with companies or other interests.
HowYou meet them in your feeds, and you can think about who follows them and whether the content is paid for.
WhatAutomated accounts and people who deliberately amplify or disrupt conversations online, often to move a debate.
WhoActors outside the public sector, sometimes hidden, who act for their own or others' purposes.
HowYou can meet them in hostile or uniform comment threads, and you can be careful, check sources and report suspicious accounts.
WhatMisleading information that is spread deliberately and at scale to influence what people believe and think.
WhoVarious actors outside the public sector, sometimes organised or foreign, who want to influence opinion in a certain direction.
HowYou can come across it in your feed, and protect yourself by checking sources and looking up several independent accounts.
WhatWhen a message spreads fast and gathers many people around an issue in a short time.
WhoAnything from individuals and grassroots to organised actors outside the public sector, who have managed to get the spread going.
HowYou can both make use of them to raise an issue, and think about who started a campaign and why.
Parties
Chosen by their own members and nominating committees. This is where the election result turns into posts and a political line.
The parties' tools
WhatThe party programme is the document where a party sets out its values, its policies and where it wants to take society.
WhoIt is held by the party and its members, who together vote on the content at congresses and meetings outside the public sphere.
HowYou meet it when you compare parties before an election, and you can influence it by becoming a member and helping write it.
WhatRelationships and contacts are the personal ties between party people, organisations and decision-makers that open doors and make things happen.
WhoIt is the parties' representatives and members who carry the networks, an informal asset alongside the formal decisions.
HowYou can build your own contacts by getting involved locally, going to meetings and getting to know those who already have a seat at the tables.
WhatList places are the order on the party's ballot, where a high place gives a strong chance of being elected and a low place almost none.
WhoThe places are set by the party's members and nominating committees during the nomination, not by the voters and not by the state.
HowYou influence the list through membership and nomination meetings, and in the election you can mark a candidate with a personal vote to move them up.
Individuals with influence
People who carry weight through money, contacts, fame or knowledge.
Lobbyists
WhatThe conversation is the lobbyist's simplest tool: to put a point of view directly to the person who decides, in a meeting or over a coffee.
WhoIt is held by lobbyists, that is, actors outside the public sector who represent a company, an industry or an organisation for payment.
HowYou can use the same route yourself by asking for a meeting with a politician, because the right to speak to power is not reserved for the professionals.
WhatInformal proposals are finished ideas, or even written draft text, that a lobbyist quietly hands to decision-makers before anything is settled.
WhoThey are put forward by lobbyists outside the public sector, who want their wording to slip into inquiries, decisions or the text of a law.
HowYou can do the same on a smaller scale by submitting your own proposals and views, and by asking to find out who else has influenced a decision.
WhatShaping public opinion means a lobbyist tries to form what the public and the media think, so that politicians feel the pressure to act.
WhoIt is driven by lobbyists and the clients they represent, actors outside the public sector with the resources to be seen widely.
HowYou meet it in opinion pieces and campaigns, and you can balance it by raising your own voice and examining who stands behind the message.
Investors
WhatAn investment, or backing, is when someone puts capital into a company or project and thereby decides what gets built and where jobs are created.
WhoIt is done by investors outside the public sector, who through their money can move activity, ideas and development to where they believe in it.
HowYou meet it when a town grows or shrinks with the capital, and you can affect which way it goes through where you place your own savings.
Wealthy individuals
WhatMoney gives a wealthy person the means to finance ideas, campaigns and activities that would otherwise never have got off the ground.
WhoThe asset is held by individual wealthy people outside the public sector, who choose for themselves what they want to pay for and support.
HowYou meet the effect when private money shapes a debate or a building project, and you can ask for openness about where the funding comes from.
WhatContacts are the well-established ties to people in power and to key figures that let a wealthy person reach their goal quickly with a matter.
WhoThe network is carried by individual wealthy people outside the public sector, who often move in the same circles as those who decide.
HowYou can build your own contacts through clubs, associations and engagement, and you have the right to demand that decisions are still made openly and on the merits.
WhatShares and voting rights mean that whoever owns a stake in a company also gets to vote on how the company is run.
WhoThe power lies with the shareholders, individuals or funds outside the public sector, and weighs more the larger the holding is.
HowYou can become a part-owner yourself by buying shares, even small amounts, and then vote at the annual general meeting or through your fund savings.
WhatOwning land gives power over how an area is used, whether it is built on, farmed, preserved or sold on.
WhoThe land is owned by individuals, companies or funds outside the public sector, who decide over their property within the limits of the law.
HowYou meet this power in plans and building permits, and you can have your say in the municipality's public consultation (samråd) when land is to get a new use.
WhatOwning real estate gives power over homes and premises, that is, over rents, maintenance and who gets room to live or operate.
WhoThe buildings are owned by individual landlords, companies or funds outside the public sector, who control their properties within the limits of the law.
HowAs a tenant you meet it in the rent and the condition, and you can get help from a tenants' association and the rules that protect residents.
Public figures
and influencersWhatShaping public opinion is when a well-known person or influencer uses their platform to raise an issue and bring along many followers.
WhoIt is driven by public figures and influencers outside the public sector, whose strength is the attention and trust of their audience.
HowYou meet it in feeds and headlines, and you can follow, question and build your own reach around what you think matters.
WhatContacts are the direct ties between well-known people and those in power, which let a conversation or a single word carry unusual weight.
WhoThe network is held by public figures and influencers outside the public sector, who often gain access thanks to their name.
HowYou meet the effect when a well-known voice opens doors, and you can build your own contacts through persistent engagement in an issue.
Experts and researchers
WhatShaping public opinion is when an expert or researcher speaks publicly and, with their knowledge, weighs heavily on how an issue is perceived.
WhoIt is driven by experts and researchers outside political power, whose authority rests on expertise rather than on votes.
HowYou meet it in the news and in debate, and you can weigh it in by examining the evidence and comparing what several knowledgeable people say.
WhatDefining the facts is about the power to decide what counts as true and certain in an issue, which steers the whole discussion.
WhoIt is exercised by experts and researchers outside politics, whose findings often become the basis on which decisions are then built.
HowYou meet it when research is cited in debate, and you can ask for the source and see whether the picture is consistent or disputed.
WhatProducing knowledge is the very making of new research and new findings, the raw material that politics and society later rest on.
WhoIt is handled by experts and researchers at universities and institutes, actors outside political power with their own access to the evidence.
HowYou meet the results in textbooks and decisions, and much research is open to read, question and build further on.
The consumer
WhatConsumer choice is the power in every purchase: when many choose the same thing, it affects what companies make, how they make it and at what price.
WhoThat power lies with you as a consumer, an actor outside the public sector, and it becomes strong when many choose in the same direction.
HowYou use it every time you shop, and you can aim it deliberately by favouring what you want to see more of.
WhatA boycott is when consumers join together and stop buying from a company to apply pressure and force a change.
WhoIt is driven by consumers outside the public sector, and it gets its strength from being many who act at the same time.
HowYou can take part by refraining yourself and saying why, and together with others make the protest clear and felt.