There are a number of topics in Sweden that have long been and still are considered public (political) taboos. Immigration is one of them. Others have historically included nuclear power and hydropower. There are more. All of them are politically charged.
Besides making it difficult to obtain statistical data for research, public people a…
There are a number of topics in Sweden that have long been and still are considered public (political) taboos. Immigration is one of them. Others have historically included nuclear power and hydropower. There are more. All of them are politically charged.
Besides making it difficult to obtain statistical data for research, public people attempting to discuss these topics could be ignored, made “unpopular” or tacitly banned from accessing the media. These topics are swept under the carpet not to shake the boat until the boat is on the brink of capsizing.
There is an opinion that such attitude is due to the local cultural norms that impose and celebrate a not-showing-off behavior which can foster cowardice to voice an opinion that is different and willingness. However this seems more of an institutionalized behavior rather than simply a cultural norm. If so, then it seems to be a differentiating feature of the Swedish democracy. How democratic it is is up to each one to decide.
There are a number of topics in Sweden that have long been and still are considered public (political) taboos. Immigration is one of them. Others have historically included nuclear power and hydropower. There are more. All of them are politically charged.
Besides making it difficult to obtain statistical data for research, public people attempting to discuss these topics could be ignored, made “unpopular” or tacitly banned from accessing the media. These topics are swept under the carpet not to shake the boat until the boat is on the brink of capsizing.
There is an opinion that such attitude is due to the local cultural norms that impose and celebrate a not-showing-off behavior which can foster cowardice to voice an opinion that is different and willingness. However this seems more of an institutionalized behavior rather than simply a cultural norm. If so, then it seems to be a differentiating feature of the Swedish democracy. How democratic it is is up to each one to decide.