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In our efforts to become responsible citizens by
understanding the inner workings of Swedish
society, we have been exploring these sources of
inspiration for years |
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Collectivism, Religion and Freedom in Sweden. |
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Secular life deeply entrenched in the religious
past. How did it happened ? |
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some of the points below will be elaborated |
| Church’s “husförhör”
(house inspections) and state
surveillance, which created a culture of
obedience and conformity, rather than
trust in
the modern democratic sense. |
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| "Jantelagen" (the
Law of Jante) — a cultural norm that
discourages standing out or questioning
the collectiv |
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| In Sweden, belonging to institutions is deeply
tied to identity. Therefore, mocking
institutions or leaders can feel like
mocking the collective itself |
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| Swedish society shows how secular rituals and
institutional belonging can replace
traditional religious faith while maintaining
a sense of collective identity |
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Prior to 1951, leaving
the Church of Sweden came with serious social
consequences. Non-believers or those who left
the church could face social exclusion and
limitations in career opportunities, especially
in public service.
After 1951, it became increasingly common for
atheists and agnostics to hold public office in
Sweden. By the time of the church-state
separation in 2000, Sweden had become one of the
most secular countries in the world. |
| the theme is elaborated in 5
sections below; |
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I.) more on the role of the
Swedish Church in historical perspective |
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II.)
Swedish Church as formative factor of
collectivism and the percieved framework of the
Collective belonging versus individual
freedom |
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III.)
By now we can raise a critical and nuanced point
about the nature of trust in institutions in
Sweden — specifically, whether it is genuine
trust or a form of compliance driven by fear
of exclusion . Historically, Sweden's
relationship with authority and institutions
has indeed been shaped by control
mechanisms , such as the Church’s “husförhör”
(house inspections) and state
surveillance , which created a culture of
obedience and conformity , rather than trust in
the modern democratic sense.
more on this issue in
paradox of
institutional trust vs. fear of exclusion |
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IV.) In collectivist societies,
"just behavior" is often
defined by social norms rather
than objective legal principles
"Just Behavior":
Collectivist vs. Legal Justice Systems |
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V.) Here are examples from modern
Swedish society, focusing on how collective
norms still influence just behavior in informal
settings, despite Sweden's formal commitment to
rule of law and impartial justice.
"Just Behavior" in Swedish Society: A Historical
and Modern Perspective |
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Certain members of the administration, in their
decision-making, appear to be influenced by the
social norms embodied in the Law of Jante rather
than adhering strictly to the legal principles
enshrined in the framework of liberal democracy.
This suggests a prioritization of collective
conformity over individual rights, which can
compromise the integrity of democratic
governance |
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The open expression of emotions is often
discouraged, as it may be perceived as a
deviation from the cultural emphasis on
restraint, modesty, and social harmony. This
cultural expectation can hinder genuine dialogue
and the acknowledgment of personal experiences,
particularly within institutional settings |
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The collective pressure to maintain emotional
'neutrality' in daily life fosters internal
tensions, as individuals suppress personal
feelings to conform to cultural expectations of
restraint and composure. This accumulated
emotional strain may manifest in the form of
tension-releasing behaviors, such as excessive
drinking during weekends, which serve as
socially accepted outlets for repressed emotions |
