Injured but Not Yet Dead: A Bottom-Up Perspective on the Swedish Governmental Commissions

Abstract

This article analyzes the recurrent “erosion thesis” in the governance literature, arguing that bureaucratic or procedural public-sector institutions have come to play a less significant role in public-policy formation. Evidence from the Swedish policy-making institutions referred to as “governmental commissions” and adoption of the perspective of interest organizations support the claim. Using various theories of institutional change, I show that increased government control has reduced the influence of governmental commissions on policy, but not eliminated the belief held by interest organizations that the commissions are legitimate institutions.

Keywords:

• bureaucracy
• governance
• institutional change
• interest organizations
• policy-making
• governmental commissions

Notes

¹ An interest organization is defined as a membership organization working to obtain political influence. Group members can be individuals, firms, governmental institutions, or even other interest organizations. See Jordan, Halpin, and Maloney (2004) for further discussion.

² Representatives from the following organizations have been interviewed: Lars Berge-Kleber, secretary general, the Swedish Aphasia Association (Afasiförbundet), October 23, 2012; Mikael Klein, policy director the Swedish Disability Federation (Handikappförbunden), October 24, 2012; Lars-Erik Lundkvist, policy director, the Federation of Swedish Farmers (Lantbrukarnas riksförbund), October 31, 2012; Lars Pettersson, secretary general, the Swedish Association for Non-Profit Health and Social Services (Famna), January 16, 2013; Maicen Ekman, former secretary general, the Swedish Adult Education Association (Folkbildningsförbundet), November 9, 2012; Martina Krüger, policy director, Greenpeace, November 26, 2012; Peter Moilanen, secretary general, the International Organization of Good Templars (IOGT-NTO), January 21, 2013; Ulrika Källén Lörelius, legal expert, the Swedish Joint Committee for Artistic and Literary Professionals (KLYS), October 30, 2012; Jan Terstad, policy director, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen), November 23, 2012; Guy Lööf, policy director, the National Pensioners’ Organization (Pensionärernas riksorganisation), January 10, 2013; Milinko Mijatovic, secretary, the Cooperation Groups for Ethnic Associations in Sweden (SIOS), November 2, 2012; Helene Lindstrand, secretary general, the Swedish Teachers’ Union (Lärarförbundet) March 8, 2013; Göran Nordén, policy director, Anders Torstensson, legal expert, Anne Wigart, legal expert, the Swedish Trade Federation (Svenskt näringsliv), February 21, 2013; Samuel Engblom, legal expert, the Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees (TCO), March 25, 2013; Ola Pettersson, head of economy; and Linda Grape, investigator, at the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), April 22, 2013.

³ Swedish Association for Non-Profit Health and Social Services, Swedish Adult Education Association, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the Swedish Teachers’ Union, the Swedish Aphasia Association, the National Pensioners’ Organization, the Federation of Swedish Farmers, the Swedish Disability Federation, and the Cooperation Groups for Ethnic Associations in Sweden.

⁴ The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, the Swedish Trade Federation, and the Swedish Joint Committee for Artistic and Literary Professionals.

⁵ Swedish Adult Education Association, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the Swedish Teachers’ Union, the Cooperation Groups for Ethnic Associations in Sweden, Greenpeace, and the Swedish Teachers’ Union.

⁶ Swedish Association for Non-Profit Health and Social Services, Swedish Adult Education Association, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the Swedish Teachers’ Union, the Swedish Disability Federation, the Swedish Trade Federation, the Swedish Joint Committee for Artistic and Literary Professionals, the Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees, and the Cooperation Groups for Ethnic Associations in Sweden.