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Sweden Practice material based on the topics of Sverige i fokus

Sverige i fokus · chapter 02

Sweden's democratic system

This chapter sets out the basis of Swedish democracy: all public power proceeds from the people, who choose their representatives in general elections. Sweden is a representative democracy with a monarch as head of state who holds no political power. Four fundamental laws frame the system: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. Changing one of them takes two identical decisions with a general election in between, so voters get their say first.

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Topics from: Sverige i fokus (UHR)

Chapter overview

Worth knowing

Facts from the chapter that come up often in the questions.

  1. 01 Lapp ska vara Lapp — the segregation policy 'Lapp ska vara Lapp' means 'a Lapp shall remain a Lapp' (an outdated term for the Sami).
  2. 02 Swedish integration debates 1975 doctrine: three principles — equality, freedom of choice, partnership
  3. 03 Swedish Immigration and Integration Policy SFI = free Swedish classes for adults.
  4. 04 Free elections and what free really means Elections are held on the second Sunday of September
  5. 05 Disinformation and hate in social media Disinformation is spread deliberately to mislead
  6. 06 The school's democratic mission The Education Act sets out a democratic mission
  7. 07 Threats against politicians and journalists Elected representatives are surveyed about threats every other year
  8. 08 Petitions and residents' proposals A residents' proposal must be handled by the council

10 questions

Practice questions

  1. Question 1 of 10

    What idea did the 'Lapp ska vara Lapp' policy rest on?

    • That Sami should be fully integrated
    • That Sami should lead Sweden
    • That Sami were only authentic as reindeer nomads and should be kept apart
    • That everyone should herd reindeer
    Explanation

    That Sami were only authentic as reindeer nomads and should be kept apart — The policy rested on a racial-essentialist idea: that the Sami could only be 'real' as nomadic reindeer herders and should be kept out of settled Swedish society and education, blocking their social mobility.

  2. Question 2 of 10

    From which year will Swedish citizenship language tests come into force?

    • 2015
    • 2022
    • 2027
    • Already in force since 2010
    Explanation

    2027 — The civics requirement came first: the first citizenship test in civics was held in 2026. The Swedish language test follows, with its first part (reading and listening) planned for no later than 1 October 2027.

  3. Question 3 of 10

    What does SFI stand for?

    • Statlig FrontInformation
    • Samhällsfonden för integration
    • Svenska för invandrare
    • Socialförvaltningens invandrarservice
    Explanation

    Svenska för invandrare — SFI stands for Svenska för invandrare — free Swedish-language classes offered by every municipality.

  4. Question 4 of 10

    On which day are Swedish general elections held?

    • The first Saturday of June
    • The second Sunday of September
    • The last Sunday of May
    • The third Monday of October
    Explanation

    The second Sunday of September — Riksdag, regional and municipal elections are all held on the same day, the second Sunday in September, every fourth year.

  5. Question 5 of 10

    In Sweden, what often sets content on social media apart from content in other media?

    • It always has a responsible publisher
    • It is not checked in the same way
    • It must be true by law
    • It is vetted by a special authority
    Explanation

    It is not checked in the same way — Anyone can create content on the web and on social media, so it is not checked in the same way as content in other media.

  6. Question 6 of 10

    How long does compulsory schooling last in Sweden?

    • Eight years
    • Nine years
    • Twelve years
    • Ten years
    Explanation

    Ten years — Compulsory schooling covers ten years, starting with the preparatory class at the age of six.

  7. Question 7 of 10

    Roughly what share of Swedish voters cast their vote before election day in 2022?

    • About a tenth
    • About a quarter
    • Almost everyone
    • About half
    Explanation

    About half — About half of voters used early voting in 2022. Early voting opens eighteen days before election day at locations around the municipality.

  8. Question 8 of 10

    What is true about most Swedish local representatives?

    • They are full-time salaried officials
    • They are appointed by the county governor
    • They must be members of a trade union
    • They serve part-time alongside an ordinary job
    Explanation

    They serve part-time alongside an ordinary job — Municipal assignments are mainly part-time and lightly paid, which makes it easy to resign under pressure.

  9. Question 9 of 10

    What majority is needed in a Swedish municipal council to reject a citizens' initiative for a local referendum?

    • Two thirds
    • Three quarters
    • A simple majority
    • Unanimity
    Explanation

    Two thirds — The council can refuse a citizens' initiative, but only if a qualified majority of two thirds votes against it. Otherwise the question must go to a referendum.

  10. Question 10 of 10

    In Sweden, how does segregation show up in democratic terms?

    • Turnout and influence are lower there
    • Elections are postponed in those areas
    • Councils gain extra seats there
    • Voting becomes compulsory there
    Explanation

    Turnout and influence are lower there — Participation is markedly lower in economically strained areas, which reduces the weight those neighbourhoods carry politically.

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