Meaning of sweden: government and politics in the Collier Dictionary. The form of government in Sweden According to the form of government, Sweden is

The Kingdom of Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The head of state is the king (since September 1973 - Carl Gustaf XVI), who, according to the constitution, retains only representative functions, that is, he has no political power and officially represents the Swedish people. His former role in the appointment of the prime minister, after consultation with the leaders of the parties, passed to the talman, the chairman of the Riksdag. Great Soviet Encyclopedia/Sweden

Political power belongs to the government and the parties within it. Legislative power is in the hands of a unicameral parliament, the Riksdag, which is elected every third year. The Riksdag adopts laws, the budget, establishes taxes and fees, approves the composition of the government, and so on. There.

The central authority in the regions, fiefs, is represented by the governor. There.

The trade union movement is committed to an egalitarian ideology of politics and solidarity in the field of wages. The main slogan of the policy - "equal pay for equal work" - means that the type and nature of work must be the norm for setting wages. Great Soviet Encyclopedia/Sweden

Thus, social politics permeated with the idea of ​​equality. The Swedish model in particular has a very high degree of equalization compared to other countries. wages between skilled and unskilled workers, which reflects the basic principles of the welfare ideology in Sweden. There.

Sweden has a multi-party political system with numerous political parties. The peculiarity of this system is that parties do not often have the opportunity to obtain an absolute majority in parliament, and they are forced to form coalition governments. https://en.wikipedia.org/

According to Swedish law, a political party is a group of voters participating in elections under a common party name. At the same time, the law does not establish strict requirements for the creation of political parties. This led to the emergence of a large number of political organizations in Sweden. In total, 768 political parties are registered in the country. Most of them are parties of the regional or local level, there are also so-called. one question party. There.

Represented in the Riksdag:

  • · Swedish Social Democratic Party;
  • · Moderate coalition party;
  • · Party of the center;
  • · People's Party - liberals;
  • · Christian Democratic Party;
  • The Left Party of Sweden
  • · Green;
  • · Swedish Democrats;

Represented in the European Parliament:

Women's Initiative;

Small parties:

  • · The Juggling Party is a regional party in the Stockholm County, advocating for as much juggling as possible in society;
  • · Choice of path -- local Gothenburg party, whose goal is the abolition of tolls in Gothenburg;
  • · Nordic Union - a nationalist party that advocates the renewal of the union between Sweden, Norway and Denmark;
  • · The Immigrant Party of Sweden is a regional party in the Jönköping county, seeking the integration of immigrants into Swedish society and advocating a departure from the division into left and right in politics;
  • · Direct Democracy Party;
  • Center for Democrats
  • · Classical Liberal Party;
  • · The Communist Party;
  • · Communist Party of Sweden;
  • · European Workers' Party;
  • · National Democrats;
  • · Party Norrbotten;
  • · Party of Swedes;
  • Right-wing Conservative Party;
  • · Socialist Party;
  • · Socialist party "Justice";
  • · Communist League;
  • · Social Party;
  • · Unique party;
  • · Unity;
  • · Party of sobriety. https://en.wikipedia.org/

Sweden is one of the highly developed industrial capitalist countries. As already mentioned, the country has significant (at the pan-European level) reserves natural resources A: timber, iron ore, hydropower. Until the middle of the 20th century, timber and iron ore processing industries formed the basis of industrial production and exports. AT modern economy timber, iron ore and the semi-finished products produced from them play a secondary role, giving way to mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and electronics. However, Sweden is still one of the world's largest producers and exporters of iron ore, quality steel, sawn timber and pulp and paper products. One of the most important features of the Swedish economy is its “pronounced export orientation”: about 25% of the gross national product and more than 30% of manufactured goods are sold on the foreign market. The country is highly dependent on imports, which cover up to 25% of Sweden's needs for goods and services. This can be explained by the integration processes taking place in Europe. Great Soviet Encyclopedia/Sweden

The country's economy is characterized by a high degree of concentration of production and capital. In leading industries, shipping, banking dominated by large concerns, such as SKF, ASEA, Ericsson, Electrolux, SAAB-Scania, Volvo. These and many other firms are closely associated with large banks. The monopolization of the economy is very high in Sweden. A special feature is the concentration of large capital in the hands of individual families. For example, the Wallenberg family controls companies whose stock exchange value exceeds 13% of the share capital of all listed firms. Great Soviet Encyclopedia/Sweden

The current economic system in Sweden is usually characterized as “a mixed economy, combining the main forms of ownership: private, state, cooperative”. About 85% of all Swedish companies with more than 50 employees are privately owned. The rest is accounted for by the state and cooperatives. The public sector is expanding, and the share of the cooperative has hardly changed since 1965. There.

The Swedish public sector is most developed in the service sector. AT social services constituting half of the service sector, the share of the state is 92%, including in health care - 91.9%, in education - 88.7%, in social insurance - 98.2% (according to 1982 data). In general, according to statistics, the state accounts for 49% of those employed in the service sector, and taking into account state-owned companies, 56%. There.

Sweden was one of the first countries to understand the need to counteract the depletion of natural resources. It was the Swedes who initiated the first UN conference on the protection of environment held in 1972 in Stockholm. Now the environmental policy of the Kingdom of Sweden (both at the national and international level) is aimed at leaving as few unresolved problems as possible for future generations.

The Swedish parliament and government have approved 16 environmental goals, which are expected to be achieved no later than 2020. Among them are reduced climate impact, clean air, healthy marine environment and living lakes, sustainable forests and rich biodiversity, non-toxic environment, etc. The first of the mentioned targets is difficult to achieve: the main threat to the current climate is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. http://eugeo.ru/ekologiya-shvecii/

However, since 1990 Sweden has been continuously reducing air emissions through residential heating. Preference is no longer given to petroleum fuels, but to biological ones, as well as to the widespread use of heat pumps. As a result, in 2011 the level of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere became one of the lowest among the EU countries (62 million tons in terms of carbon dioxide), and its further reduction is possible as a result of a reduction in industrial energy consumption in the context of the economic crisis. There.

In 2001, the Stockholm Convention was adopted to cut off the production of highly hazardous and persistent chemicals. Since 2009, the industrial production of mercury has not been used in the country (the exception is energy-saving lamps and medical equipment). The Swedes are leaders in the field of waste disposal (domestic and industrial). According to 2009 data, 77% of newsprint and packaging made of metal, plastic and glass were recycled. There.

For more than 100 years, there have been national parks in Sweden, and the attitude towards nature is careful (for example, tiled or asphalt paths have been laid in the forests to prevent trampling of the grass cover). Even the view of the traditional method of burial by Swedish scientists has been revised, as it leads to the deterioration of groundwater. In the spring of 2012, the opening of the first "promatorium" for the ecological burial of the dead is expected. There.

However, not all natural pollution Sweden can eliminate alone. There is, for example, such an international problem as the discharge of agricultural emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen into the Baltic Sea. In 2011, the intergovernmental Helsinki Commission for Environmental Protection HELCOM analyzed data on the volume of annual phosphorus runoff into the Gulf of Finland, which amounted to 4800 tons (Russia - 3300 tons, Finland - 800 tons, Estonia - 700 tons). Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Russia, as well as the Baltic states are trying to resolve the situation on the basis of intergovernmental cooperation. http://eugeo.ru/ekologiya-shvecii/

The Swedish budget has an item for financing marine conservation activities (over 1.3 million SEK for the period from 2010 to 2012). In particular, the port of Stockholm (as well as the port of Helsinki) provides the opportunity to wash off waste for all ships free of charge. However, most cruise ships prefer to dump their sewage directly into the sea. There.

Efforts to improve the ecology of Sweden within the framework of their own state are undoubtedly effective. However, for the global protection of the environment, the active participation of other countries is also necessary.

Sweden joined the European Union in 1995 and, according to the accession agreement, is obliged to introduce the euro in the country. However, one of the requirements for the introduction of the euro is membership in the ERM for two years. Sweden is currently evading participation in this mechanism. While the government supports the replacement of the national currency, there is an agreement among all parties not to introduce the euro without a nationwide referendum and a positive result in it. https://en.wikipedia.org

Political and state structure of Sweden

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. To this day, this country retains the Constitution, which came into force on January 1, 1975. Administrative division into 21 laens: Värmland; Västerbotten; Blekinge; Westmanland; Westernorrland; Gotland; Dalarna; Västra Götaland; Jämtland; Gavleborg; Jonkoping; Kronoberg; Squid; Södermanland; Skane; Norrbotten; Stockholm; Halland; Uppsala; Osterjetland; Orebro.

The largest cities by population are:

  • Stockholm - 1,700 thousand people, including suburbs;
  • Gothenburg - 800 thousand people;
  • Malmö - 500 thousand people.

Political system of Sweden

The most famous political figure in Sweden was Olof Palme. In 1969-1976 and 1982-1986, he served as prime minister of the state, and from 1969 until his death, he ruled the Social Democratic Labor Party. He was killed on February 28, 1986 in the very center of Stockholm. Palme's murder was never solved.

Dag Hammarskjöld was UN Secretary General from 1953 until his own death. Fulfilling his own duties, he died in a plane crash in the Zambian region. He was striving for the UN to play the most active role in resolving international crises.

Remark 1

For administrative system Sweden is characterized by the division of tasks between central administrative bodies and ministries.

The central government includes 13 small ministries, their staff is about 100 people, who are mainly engaged in preparing legislative drafts for the government.

The Council of Ministers may meet once a week to approve decisions and is collectively responsible for all approved decisions. The enforcement of the laws is entrusted to 100 relatively independent central institutions and the boards of the lahns.

Remark 2

Until 1971, Sweden was divided into 850 communes, each of which had its own elected assembly of commissioners. The number of communes has now been reduced to 288.

The duties and rights of the communes included the construction of various structures, the provision of a significant range of services:

  • road and housing construction;
  • water supply and sewerage;
  • primary and secondary level of education;
  • social help;
  • elderly care;
  • child care, etc. .

The communes have the right to levy income tax.

Interstate and communal levels have a regional level of management. At this level, the state is divided into lans. The power of the state is represented in each lan by the board of the lan and the governor. The governor of the lans is appointed by the government for a term of six years and heads the administration of the lan. The members of the board of the Lane are appointed by the Landsting, which is elected and responsible for health care and some forms of education. Landstings have the right to levy income tax.

The political parties are well organized within and outside the Riksdag. The Social Democratic Workers' Party of Sweden, founded in 1889, appears to be the governing, largest in the state, is closely associated with the promotion of workers' unions, and represents the ideologies of the model of democratic socialism in Sweden. The conservative Moderate coalition party, founded in 1904, reflects the interests of the largest companies and top officials. The Center Party, founded in 1910, reflects the interests of small and medium landowners, as well as parts of the small and medium bourgeoisie of the cities. The People's Party (Liberals), founded in 1895, expresses the interests of part of the petty, middle and big bourgeoisie and officials. A left-wing party founded in 1917 on the basis of the left wing of the Social Democratic Party. The Environmental Protection Party ("Green"), founded in 1981, reflects the ideology of environmental protection. The clerical bourgeois party "Christian Democrats" was founded in 1964. Since 1966, the country has provided subsidies to political parties that have a seat in the Riksdag.

The largest organization that represents the business community is the Swedish Business Association, founded in 1902.

An important role in the life of Sweden was played by the trade union movement, which united in its ranks about 80% of the entire economically active population of the state. But there is no one trade union center in the state. The central association of trade unions in Sweden is the largest in the state, founded in 1898, unites approximately 1.2 million people who are employed in the leading sectors of the public sector, industry and the service sector. The Central Union of Trade Unions of Employees, established in 1944, connects employees in the private and public sectors. Central organization of persons with higher education founded in 1947, unites engineers, teachers, doctors, etc.

During the two world wars, Sweden remained neutral. Thanks to this, and also due to other circumstances, she was able to stay away from hostilities. After World War II, Sweden continued its traditional policy of freedom from alliances in times of peace and neutrality in times of war, and based its own security on a strong national defense system. Therefore, in terms of politics, the involvement of Sweden in European affairs did not go beyond participation in the Council of Europe.

In the 1960s and 70s, Swedish foreign policy focused on aid developed states and environmental issues of globalism, as well as supporting disarmament efforts within UN borders and confidence-building measures in Europe.

Remark 3

Support for the UN and its Charter will remain one of the main elements of Sweden's foreign policy. Sweden gives about one percent of its own GDP to help developing countries.

In the 1980s, the doctrine of general security, which is aimed at reducing armaments in Europe, as well as maintaining the idea of ​​general and complete disarmament throughout the world.

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State structure and the form of government of Sweden

Introduction

Chapter 1. State of Sweden: theory and history of creation

1.1 Theory and method of creating the state of Sweden

1.2 Type and form of government in Sweden

Chapter 2

2.1 King of Sweden

2.2 Government of Sweden

2.3 Judiciary of Sweden

Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendix

Introduction

The relevance of the chosen topic is due to the fact that many people present the "Swedish model" as a separate, special path that "runs" between capitalism and socialism. According to this approach, by favoring a third system outside of capitalism and socialism, societies can achieve prosperity and social justice. In a model in which the state is the dominant actor, it is the state that ensures rapid economic growth, and also, by satisfying the basic needs of all citizens, is able to fight poverty and inequality through a redistributive policy based on a taxation system. Judging by the fact that Sweden managed to implement all this, other countries are also able to achieve success in this direction. The following authors took part in the development of this topic: Fish G. "Small countries of Western Europe" Fish G. Small countries of Western Europe. - M., 2014. - 554 p. (the book discusses the creation of the state of Sweden and its structure), Goloshubov Yu.I. "Scandinavia and problems of post-war Europe" Goloshubov Yu.I. Scandinavia and problems of post-war Europe. - M., 2014. - 445 p. (the book examines the position of Sweden in the aftermath of the Second World War and its position in Europe), Dymsha L. " State law Sweden " Dymsha L., State Law of Sweden, vol. 1. - St. Petersburg, 2010. - 540 p. (considers the origin and formation legal system Sweden), Anderson I. "History of Sweden" Anderson I. History of Sweden. - M., 2011. - 336 p. (the book deals with the creation of the state of Sweden and the main historical moments in the life of the state), Timashkova O. "Swedish social democracy in power" Timashkova O. Swedish social democracy in power. - M., 2012. - 540 p. (the author examines the form of government in Sweden and state bodies).

The purpose of this study is to study the state structure and form of government in Sweden.

In accordance with the goal, the following tasks were set in the work:

1. To reveal the theory and method of creating the state of Sweden;

2. Consider the type and form of government in Sweden;

3. Consider the government of Sweden.

4. Consider the judiciary in Sweden.

Sources of the problem - special scientific literature, monographs and articles on this topic. Karimov D.A. in his article "The directive powers of the king of Sweden or can kings do everything?" Karimov D.A. The directive powers of the king of Sweden or can kings do everything? Law and politics. - M.: "NB-Media", 2011. - No. 8. - p. 1275-1281. sanctifies the main issues of the existence of the Swedish monarchy. In particular, it touches upon the modern status of the King from the standpoint of the theory of monarchy, argues that despite the absence of political power, the King can even formally influence the state of affairs in the state. Consideration of key issues related to judicial system The works of such authors as Kalinina N.S., Matveeva I., Privezentseva A., Chekunova S.A. are devoted to Sweden. Recently, few books have been published about Sweden. One of the novelties is the book by G. Kovalenko “Russians and Swedes from Rurik to Lenin. Contacts and conflicts» Kovalenko G. Russians and Swedes from Rurik to Lenin. Contacts and conflicts. - M.: Lomonosov, 2010. - 256 p. .

Work structure. The work consists of an introduction, two chapters, five paragraphs, a conclusion, a list of references and applications. The first chapter examines the creation of the state of Sweden since the Vikings, the reforms carried out throughout the existence of the state; military conflicts in which Sweden took part; the main occupations of the population of Sweden since its founding. The administrative division is revealed, higher authorities Swedish authorities. The main provisions of the Constitution are considered. The country's significant contribution to strengthening security throughout Europe, its active participation in the OSCE and the Council of Europe is revealed. The second chapter deals with the form of state government, discusses the basic provisions of the king, the requirements for the heirs to the throne, their legal status and responsibilities. The government of Sweden is described as an independent state body that exercises full executive power in the state, its composition and powers. The judicial system of Sweden, the jurisdiction of the courts, their composition and powers are revealed. In conclusion, a conclusion is made, according to the tasks set in the work, about the state structure, the form of government, the structure of state power. The appendix reveals brief information about Sweden: geographical location, area of ​​the country, climate and minerals, population and state language, monetary units, national holidays, modern domestic politics, non-governmental and public organizations, living standards and social protection population, education, cultural heritage and the media.

Chapter 1. State of Sweden: theory and history of creation

1.1 Theory and method of creating the state of Sweden

The first man appeared on the territory of Sh. about 12 thousand years ago. However, only from the 9th c. the Scandinavians were talked about in Europe, where the Vikings began to penetrate by sea, engaging in robbery and trade. The Swedish Vikings managed to reach the Black and Caspian Seas along the Russian rivers (the path “from the Varangians to the Greeks”) and trade with Byzantium and the Arabs. In the 11th and 12th centuries. Sh. begins to act as a single state. Christianity becomes the dominant religion, and in 1164 an archbishopric in Uppsala is established. The process of centralization of the state under royal authority continued for two centuries (from the middle of the 12th century). In 1397, the Danish Queen Margareta unites Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland in the so-called. Kalmar Union under the Danish crown.

Constant strife both within the states united by the union and between them gradually led to an open conflict between the Swedes and the Danes. The final collapse of the union in the beginning. 16th century led to a series of fierce wars between Denmark and Norway, on the one hand, and Switzerland and Finland, which in the 12th and 13th centuries. was conquered by the Swedes, on the other.

The culmination was the so-called. The Stockholm bloodbath in 1520, when more than 100 well-known representatives of various classes in Sweden were executed during the accession to the throne of the Danish king Christian II. This event led to an uprising, as a result of which the Danish king was deposed and the Swedish nobleman Gustav Vasa, who was elected king, was enthroned Sh. in 1523. These facts indicate that Sweden was created in accordance with the patriarchal theory of the origin of the state, this concept is based on ideas about the emergence of the state from the family, and public and state power - from the power of the father of the family. The relationship of the father with family members, in accordance with the patriarchal theory of the origin of the state, is likened to the relationship of the monarch with his subjects. The monarch must, like the father of the family, take care of his subjects, and they, in turn, must unquestioningly obey and respect him. The way to create a state is secondary - Sweden was formed as a result of armed conflicts and uprisings.

Gustav Vasa, advocating Swedish sovereignty, resolutely suppressed attempts to revive the Kalmar Union and carried out whole line the most important reforms that played a big role in the life of the country. During the reign of Gustav Vasa (1523-60) the foundations of the Swedish nation-state were laid. He breaks with Catholicism and carries out the Reformation. The head of the Swedish church was declared the king. In 1544 he introduces a hereditary monarchy (previously there was an elective one). The attempts of the high nobility to restore their power during the reigns of Eric XIV (1560-68), Johan III (1568-92) and Sigismund (1592-99) failed. During the reign of Charles IX (1599-1611) and Gustav II Adolf (1611-32) the monarchy strengthened its position. After the death of Gustav II Adolf in the battle of Lützen, the highest nobility managed to introduce a new Constitution - the Form of Government of 1634, according to which a number of central administrative bodies were created and part of the power passed into their hands. However, this Constitution was applied under Christina (1632-54), Charles X Gustav (1654-60) and lost its effect in 1680 under Charles XI (1660-97). After that, the nobility turned into a bureaucratic class, in everything obedient to the will of the king.

After the rupture of the Kalmar Union, Swedish foreign policy was aimed at dominance in the Baltic, which led from the 1560s. to frequent wars with Denmark. After Switzerland entered the Thirty Years' War on the side of the German Protestants in 1630, Switzerland under Gustav II Adolf became one of the leading European monarchies and defeated Denmark twice: in 1643–45 and 1657–58. These victories enabled Sh. to conquer the former Danish provinces of Skåne, Halland, Blekinge, and Gotland and the Norwegian provinces of Bohyuslan, Emtland, and Harjedalen. Finland, a number of provinces in northern Germany (Pomerania, Bremen), Estonia, Latvia, and Ingermanland (at the mouth of the Neva) also belonged to Switzerland. W. even briefly founded a colony in North America (where Delaware is now located).

However, China remained a purely agrarian country with a subsistence economy (apart from small metallurgical plants and the mining of copper ore in Falun) and did not have the resources to maintain its position as a great power for a long time. In 1700, Russia, Saxony, in alliance with Poland, as well as Denmark and Norway, together opposed the strengthening of the Swedish Empire. Although the young Swedish king Charles XII (1697-1718) won victories in the first period of the Great Northern War (1700-21), nevertheless, the vast plan to force Russia to surrender by siege of Moscow turned out to be beyond his power. The defeat in the Battle of Poltava in 1709, and then the death of Charles XII during the siege of the Norwegian fortress in 1718 and the conclusion of the Treaty of Nystadt with opponents, which were later joined by England, Hanover and Prussia, put an end to the Swedish great power. Switzerland lost most of the provinces on the opposite coast of the Baltic, and its territory was reduced to approximately the size of modern Switzerland and Finland.

The Russo-Swedish War of 1808-09 led in 1809 to the loss of Finland. Sh. also lost the last possessions in northern Germany during the Napoleonic wars. Switzerland was compensated for its participation in the anti-Napoleonic coalition by gaining Norway, which in 1814, by decision of the Congress of Vienna, passed from Denmark to Switzerland. The union that annexed Norway to Switzerland lasted until 1905 and was terminated at the initiative of Norway as a result of peace negotiations.

After a short war with Norway in 1814, during the creation of the union, Switzerland no longer participated in wars and, since the First World War, pursued a foreign policy of freedom from alliances in Peaceful time and neutrality during the war.

After the death of Charles XII and the defeat of Sweden in the Great Northern War, the Swedish parliament, the Riksdag, has been in constant operation since the 15th century. and originating from the election of tribal elders and leaders among the Vikings, introduced a new Constitution that abolished royal absolutism and transferred power to the hands of the Riksdag. During the so-called. era of freedoms (1719-72) in Switzerland there was a government that was formed by the party that dominated the Riksdag and was responsible to the Riksdag. However, Gustav III (1771-92) limited the power of the Riksdag in a bloodless coup in 1772 and later, in 1789, restored absolutism. After Gustav IV Adolf (1792–1809) was overthrown in a coup d'état in 1809, the political development of Switzerland proceeded more calmly and peacefully.

In 1809 a new constitution was introduced based on the division of power. Soon the Napoleonic marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was elected heir to the Swedish throne, and in 1818 he became King Charles XIV Johan (1818-44). His policy was conservative, but at the same time there was an influential liberal opposition. During the reigns of his son Oscar I (1844-59) and grandson Charles XV (1859-72) many important events took place, including the introduction of compulsory education in 1842, the abolition of the guild system in 1846, the transition to free trade, the introduction local government in 1862 and, finally, the implementation of a parliamentary reform in 1866. The last reform replaced the one that had existed since the 15th century. four-estate riksdag to the bicameral Goloshubov Yu. I. Scandinavia and the problems of post-war Europe. - M., 2014. - p. 57. .

Primitive fishermen and hunters first appeared on the territory of modern Sweden since ancient times, and then began to move deep into the peninsula, following the melting glaciers, millennia ago. One of the first evidence of the presence of ancient people in these lands can be considered a parking lot discovered near Malmö. It is dated to the eighth millennium BC.

The settlements of primitive people, who switched from hunting and gathering to farming and cattle breeding, appeared on the territory of modern Sweden more than four and a half thousand years ago. Archaeologists and historians have discovered several burial mounds, caves and rock paintings that date back to that time.

During the Bronze Age, local tribes began to engage in trade with the British Isles and Central Europe. Evidence of the high development of various crafts and arts of the local tribes was also found.

In the Iron Age, local residents established close contact with the Celtic tribes. Starting from the first century AD, an era of close cooperation between the Swedes and the Roman Empire begins, which will last until the sixth century.

In the early Middle Ages, from the sixth to the ninth century, the Swedish state was formed on the peninsula. According to scientists and researchers, it was created due to the fact that the Svei tribe, who lived near Lake Mälaren in the middle part of the country (the modern historical region of Svealand), conquered a number of other local tribes, among which were the Goths who inhabited the province of Gotaland, which was located south of the possessions of the soybeans.

The first city of the Swedes, called Birka and located on Lake Mälaren, was founded at the beginning of the ninth century. It quickly turned into a fairly large Baltic shopping center known far beyond Europe. It was known about him in the Arab Caliphate, and in distant Byzantium, and in the Frankish state. It was from here that the Vikings began their legendary campaigns. The local merchants and sea robbers were famous and skillful seafarers. The peoples of Western Europe called them "Normans" (it can literally be translated as "northern people"), in Byzantium and in Russia they were known as "Varangians", and the Finns called them none other than "ruotsi". Many historians associate the name of Russia with the latter name, since the famous princes who ruled the Slavic tribes are descendants of the Scandinavian Rurik dynasty. The Vikings quite often raided the coasts of neighboring lands. From the eighth to the tenth century, the Vikings almost single-handedly ruled the water, which was the beginning of a rapid expansion that led to the colonization of vast territories by the Vikings.

During the Middle Ages it becomes known trade route“from the Varangians to the Greeks” and very successful Russian-Swedish relations begin for both powers. Despite the huge successes of peaceful trade, the Vikings did not stop fighting with their neighbors. The Baltic lands became the main arena for battles. In the fortieth year of the thirteenth century, the Viking troops decide to capture Novgorod with the surrounding lands and Staraya Ladoga, but their campaign ended extremely unsuccessfully - they were defeated by Prince Alexander Nevsky and his squad. By the end of the thirteenth century, Sweden had subjugated almost all Finnish lands. The border with Russia at that time passed along the Neva. The Swedes founded the magnificent and well-fortified city of Vyborg, whose fortress adorns these lands even now.

In the middle of the twelfth century, Sweden was an integral power, which was ruled by a king. Several rulers changed on the throne before Margarita, the Queen of Denmark, ascended to him, who managed to win back part of their territory from the Swedes by the year 1387. Since Margaret was at that moment the Queen of Norway, it turned out that the Danish crown united the three kingdoms. This association, called the Kalmar Union, lasted one and a half hundred years. It collapsed largely due to the frantic pressure of the Swedish resistance. One of the leaders of the struggle for independence, the Swedish nobleman Gustav Vasa, was elected king in 1523. During the period when the new monarch ruled the country, it turned into the strongest and most powerful kingdom. Also, Gustav Vasa is known for having abolished the Swedish tradition of electing a king, and from that moment on, the crown began to be inherited.

Throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Swedish kingdom was involved in many military conflicts. One of the most significant for the country was the constant military clashes with Russia and the Kingdom of Denmark for the right to dominate the territory of the Baltic. By the end of the seventeenth century, the Swedes managed to capture the territories of Estonia, Poland, Livonia, Ingermanland, as well as part of the lands that belonged to Germany. All these events made Sweden on the threshold of the eighteenth century one of the most powerful European powers.

But all further attempts by Sweden to expand their possessions did not lead to anything good, and as a result of a series of crushing defeats, the kingdom had to give up a number of its possessions. In the end, as a result of the war with Russia in 1809 and 10, Sweden suffered a complete defeat and lost the entire territory of Finland and even part of its northern lands.

After the death of Charles XIII, who had no heirs, the last Swedish royal dynasty (Goldstein-Gottorp) ceased to exist. To avoid war with Napoleon, the Swedes were forced to put on the throne a French marshal named Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, who was renamed Charles XIV Johan. Instead of the new war expected by the Swedes for the lands of Finland, the new king, on the contrary, concluded a truce with Russia.

The last military actions of the Swedes were short wars with Norway and Denmark. After the outbreak of World War I, Sweden declared its neutrality. She managed to save it during the Second World War.

In the middle of the last century, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden joined the Nordic Council.

Sweden has been a full member of the EU since 1995.

1.2 Type and form of government in Sweden

In the centuries-old history of mankind, there existed, replacing each other, a large number of states, and there are still many of them. The classification of states into types is not all-encompassing. In the past, there were and still are quite a few so-called transitional states. Some of them arose as a result of the collapse of the colonial system and moved in their development to one of the existing types (most often to the bourgeois one), others combined the features of several types of states (for example, the Scandinavian states combine the features of a traditionally bourgeois state with the sprouts of a state of a socialist type) , others may have such signs and features that none of the known types of states have.

On the basis of feudal production relations, many states arose that were not known to the previous era. These are the states in England and France, Germany and Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland, the Scandinavian countries, Japan, etc. Even today, feudal remnants have been preserved in a number of countries.

The economic basis of the feudal state was the ownership of land by feudal lords and incomplete ownership of serfs. Feudal ownership of land served as the basis of social inequality. The main classes of society were feudal lords and serfs. At the same time, other social groups also existed: urban artisans, merchants, etc.

The class differentiation of feudal society was in a certain way combined with the division into estates, i.e. on such groups of people who differed from each other in the amount of rights and obligations enshrined in law. In Russia, for example, there were such privileged estates as princes, nobles and clergy. The estates of artisans, merchants, and philistines did not have the privileges that the upper classes had. The most disenfranchised were the serfs, who were forcibly attached to the land. Law openly consolidated class inequality and privileges. Throughout the history of feudal society, peasant uprisings and wars took place.

The feudal state was an instrument of the dictatorship of the feudal lords and privileged classes. In its development, it went through a number of stages:

a) decentralized feudal fragmentation;

b) strengthening centralization and establishing a class-representative monarchy;

c) centralized absolute monarchy and the disintegration of feudal statehood.

Most of the functions of the feudal state were determined by class contradictions. This is the protection of feudal property, the suppression of the resistance of the peasants and other exploited groups of the population. The state also performed functions arising from the needs of the whole society. His external activities were mainly limited to waging wars of conquest and protection from external attacks.

The state apparatus of the feudal state included the army, police and gendarmerie detachments, intelligence agencies, tax collection agencies, and courts.

The dominant form of the feudal state was a monarchy of various kinds. The republican form of government existed only in the states-republics (Venice, Genoa, Novgorod, Pskov, etc.).

On the last step in the depths of feudal society, bourgeois (capitalist) production relations began to emerge, requiring a worker who freely sells his labor. But the development of new relations was hindered by the feudal lords and their state. Therefore, sharp contradictions arose between the young bourgeoisie and the feudal lords, which were resolved through bourgeois-democratic revolutions. As a result of the latter, a new type of state arose - the bourgeois (capitalist) state.

This type of state turned out to be the most resilient, capable of adapting to changing conditions. The first capitalist states arose more than three centuries ago. The bourgeoisie came to power under the slogan "Freedom, Equality, Fraternity". The establishment of bourgeois statehood in comparison with feudal statehood is a huge step forward along the path of social progress.

The economic basis of the bourgeois state in the early stages of its development was the capitalist private property to the means of production. In this state, all citizens are equal before the law, but economic inequality persists. Bourgeois society for a long time consisted of two main classes - the bourgeoisie and workers, relations between which underwent significant changes.

The bourgeois state goes through a number of stages in its development.

The first stage can be called the period of formation and development of the capitalist state. In economic terms, this is a period of free competition for a large number of owners. The state does not interfere in the economy here. Economic life is determined by the spontaneous market and competition. To reveal the general class interests and will of the developing bourgeoisie, a new, more modern mechanism was needed. Bourgeois democracy, parliamentarism, legality became such a mechanism. The state provided favorable conditions for the development of capitalist public relations. The class struggle has not yet reached a particular acuteness.

The second stage in the development of the bourgeois state coincided with the period of monopoly capitalism. It can be called the stage of the beginning and deepening of the crisis of bourgeois statehood (the end of the 19th century - the first half of the 20th century). The economy is undergoing major changes at this stage. To increase competition, small enterprises and firms unite, various types of production and distribution are monopolized, powerful associations arise - trusts, syndicates, corporations, etc.; the exploitation of the working class is intensified, the effective demand of the population lags behind the production of goods.

This resulted in periodic crises and depressions, accompanied by the bankruptcy of enterprises, rising unemployment, and exacerbation of the class struggle. The monopolization and concentration of capital led to the unification of the working class, which became the bearer of revolutionary Marxist ideas. The Paris Commune of 1871 is historically the first attempt by the working class to win state power in a revolutionary way and use it in their own interests.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the bourgeois state is increasingly turning into a political institution of the big monopoly bourgeoisie, which is beginning to renounce democracy and the rule of law. In a number of countries this leads to the emergence of reactionary political regimes (fascist regimes in Germany and Italy). In internal activities In the bourgeois states, the function of fighting the revolutionary labor movement is enhanced, in the external - the function of waging wars for the seizure of foreign territories and markets. All this is accompanied by the growth of the military-bureaucratic state apparatus. First decades of the 20th century - these are the years of the First World War, proletarian revolutions, the collapse of the colonial system, severe economic crises and depressions. Bourgeois society and the state inevitably faced a tough alternative - either self-destruction under the onslaught of sharp contradictions, or reform and transformation. They chose the second path.

In the 30s. of our century, the bourgeois state has entered the third (modern) stage of its development, which, in all likelihood, is a transition to a higher type of state. It was initiated by the "New Deal" of US President F. Roosevelt, but more ambitious changes, coinciding with the unfolding scientific and technological revolution, took place after the Second World War. At this stage, the economic basis of the state changes significantly, "pure" private property ceases to be dominant. Up to 30% or more of the economic potential of developed countries turns into state property, shareholder property is developing rapidly, and cooperative property is emerging. In a word, the economy becomes mixed. The diversity of types and forms of ownership gives the economy greater dynamism, the ability to adapt to changing conditions.

No less changes are taking place in the social class structure of society. Many workers become shareholders and, together with other sections of society (scientific and technical intelligentsia, etc.), form the "middle" class - the main stabilizer of social relations.

The state retains its bourgeois-class features, but becomes more democratic and social. Many of its main functions stem from the needs of the whole society - economic, social. It actively intervenes in the economy through flexible planning, placement of government orders, lending, and so on.

The changes taking place in the developed capitalist countries are reflected in various theories. Considerable distribution, for example, was received by the theory of the welfare state. According to this theory, at the stage under consideration, capitalism changed radically, it became people's capitalism, and the bourgeois state completely lost its class character, turned into an organ of general welfare, making the rich poorer and the poor richer with the help of state legal regulation. This theory, of course, is based on real processes, facts, but still essentially idealizes bourgeois society and the state Alekseev S.S. Theory of Government and Rights.

Many see the "Swedish model" as a separate, special path that "runs" between capitalism and socialism. According to this approach, by favoring a third system outside of capitalism and socialism, societies can achieve prosperity and social justice. In a model in which the state is the dominant actor, it is the state that ensures rapid economic growth, and also, by satisfying the basic needs of all citizens, is able to fight poverty and inequality through a redistributive policy based on a taxation system. Sweden did not become a wealthy country because of social democracy, a "big state" and extensive welfare spending. Sweden began to develop intensively through the adoption of a market economy policy in the late XIX - early XX century. With the help of property rights, free markets, and the efficiency of many highly educated entrepreneurs and engineers, Sweden created an environment conducive to economic growth, and on a scale never seen before in the country's history. In the years following economic liberalization, the country experienced significant economic progress. From 1870 to 1936, Sweden had the highest rate of growth in the industrial world. Meanwhile, from 1936 to 2008, out of 28 industrialized countries, Sweden occupied only 18th place.

Sweden's economic growth was also facilitated by its social culture. The main principles of this culture were a high level of people's trust in each other, a small amount of social friction, which is explained by a relatively homogeneous population, strict norms of behavior that stimulated devotion and intensive work. These factors also contributed to the success of the Swedish emigrants in the places where they were located. Swedes who emigrated to the United States in the 19th century, despite the fact that the United States had a less developed welfare state, had a lower unemployment rate, and, notably, their income is 50% higher than that of their relatives in Sweden.

Thus, Sweden began to prosper even before the formation of the welfare state thanks to a market economy and related cultural characteristics. In 1950, tax revenue in Sweden was only 21% of the country's GDP. The transition to a "big state" and higher taxes took the next 30 years, and annually taxes increased GDP by 1%.

The rapid growth of the state gave way to a certain decline, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1975, Sweden was among the four richest countries in terms of GDP per capita. In 1993, Sweden occupied only 14th position. By becoming a "big state", Sweden had a devastating effect on entrepreneurship. After 1970, the number of newly created firms decreased. Interesting fact: only 2 out of 100 companies in Sweden that had the highest income in 2004 were formed after 1970, 21 of them were created before 1913. Also, even before the formation of the "welfare state" in Sweden, the principles of equality were spread at a high level in the country. In other words, equality was not the result of the welfare state. The transition to it entailed various social problems. Perhaps the most important of these was the high dependence on the state that arose among certain groups.

The economic crisis of the early 1990s and the growth of social payments, which the country's economy was unable to cope with, forced Sweden to change the policy of the "welfare state". The Swedish leadership was forced to take steps in this direction, and in the field of education, healthcare, pension provision market reforms. Thanks to this, Sweden, as shown by international indices, has increased the degree of economic freedom.

Thus, Sweden is a welfare state or welfare state of Atilla Jaila. Sweden and the welfare state.

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The Constitution, which came into force on January 1, 1975, is the Constitution of Sweden. Administrative division - 21 counties: Blekinge, Värmland, Västerbotten, Västernorrland, Västmanland, Västra Götaland, Gotland, Dalarna, Gävleborg, Jämtland, Jönköping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Södermanland, Skåne, Stockholm, Uppsala, Halland, Örebro, Esterjetland .

The Swedish Constitution consists of 4 separate documents: the Act on the form of government, adopted in 1974, the Act on the succession to the throne, in force since 1810, the Freedom of the Press Act 1949 (originating from 1766) and the Freedom of Expression Act, which came into force in 1991. In addition Moreover, the Riksdag Act 1974 occupies an intermediate position between the Basic Law and ordinary statutory law.

supreme body legislature- riksdag.

The highest body of executive power is the government.

The head of state - King Carl XVI Gustaf (since September 19, 1973) is endowed with purely representative or ceremonial functions and is a symbol of the Swedish state and the nation Fish G. Small countries of Western Europe. - M., 2014. - p. 57. .

Since 1971, the Riksdag of Switzerland has been unicameral and consists of 349 deputies elected by universal, direct, and secret suffrage once every four years. Residents of the country enjoy the right to vote from the age of 18. Seats in the Riksdag are allocated on a proportional basis to parties that receive at least 4% of the vote in an election.

The Swedish administrative system is characterized by the division of tasks between ministries and central administrative bodies. The central government consists of 13 small ministries (their staff does not exceed 100 people), mainly engaged in the preparation of draft laws for the government. The Council of Ministers meets once a week to approve decisions and is collectively responsible for all decisions made. Law enforcement is entrusted to 100 relatively independent central institutions and the boards of the lahns.

Until 1971, Sweden was divided into 850 communes, each of which had its own elected assembly of commissioners. The number of communes has now been reduced to 288. The rights and obligations of the communes include the construction of various structures and the provision of a wide range of services: housing and road construction, sewerage and water supply, primary and secondary education, social assistance, care for the elderly, child care, etc. . The communes have the right to levy income tax.

Between the state and communal levels there is a regional level of government. At this level, the country is divided into lans. state power represent in each lane the governor and board of the lane. Lan governors are appointed by the government for a term of 6 years and head the board of the lan. The members of the board of the Lane are appointed by the Landsting, which is elected and responsible for health care and certain types of education. Landstings collect income tax.

The political parties are well organized in the Riksdag and outside it. The Social Democratic Labor Party of Sweden, founded in 1889, is the ruling, largest in the country, is closely associated with the movement of workers' trade unions, and represents the ideas of the Swedish model of democratic socialism. The conservative Moderate coalition party was founded in 1904 (until 1969 - the Right Party), expresses the interests of large companies and top officials. The Center Party was founded in 1910 (before 1957 - the Peasant Union), expresses the interests of medium and small landowners, as well as parts of the middle and small urban bourgeoisie. The People's Party - the Liberals - was founded in 1895 (until 1990 - the People's Party), represents the interests of the large, middle and part of the petty bourgeoisie, officials. The Left Party was founded in 1917 on the basis of the left wing of the Social Democratic Party (until 1921 - the Social Democratic Left Party, in 1921 it was renamed the Communist Party, in 1967 - the Left Party - Communists, since 1990 it has its current name). The environmental protection party - "green" - founded in 1981, expresses the ideas of environmental protection. The clerical bourgeois party Christian Democrats was founded in 1964 (until 1987 - the Christian Democratic Union). Since 1966 the state has been subsidizing the political parties that have a seat in the Riksdag.

The largest organization representing business circles is the Association of Swedish Entrepreneurs, founded in 1902.

An important role in the life of Sweden is played by the trade union movement, which unites in its ranks about 80% of the total economically active population of the country. However, there is no single trade union center in the country. The Central Association of Trade Unions in Sweden, the largest in the country, was founded in 1898 and unites about 1.2 million people employed in the leading branches of industry, the public utilities sector, and the service sector. The Central Association of Trade Unions of Employees was formed in 1944 and unites employees in the private and public sectors. The Central Organization of Persons with Higher Education was established in 1947 and unites teachers, engineers, doctors, and so on.

During both world wars, Sweden remained neutral. Thanks to this, and also due to other circumstances, she managed to stay away from hostilities. After World War II, Sweden continued its traditional policy of freedom from alliances in times of peace and neutrality in times of war, and based its security on a strong national defense system. Therefore, politically, Sweden's involvement in European affairs did not go beyond participation in the Council of Europe.

In the 1960s and 70s Sweden's foreign policy has focused on helping developing countries and global environmental issues, as well as supporting disarmament efforts within the UN and confidence-building measures in Europe. Support for the UN and its Charter remains one of the fundamental elements of Swedish foreign policy. Sweden allocates about 1% of its GDP to help developing countries.

In the 1980s The doctrine of general security, aimed at reducing armaments in Europe and supporting the idea of ​​general and complete disarmament throughout the world, has become the central element of Sweden's foreign policy. 132. .

For a long time, the policy of neutrality prevented Sweden from seeking EU membership. Sweden was content with membership in a less rigidly organized EFTA. However, changes in Europe and the end of the Cold War have made it possible to reconsider this position. In July 1991, Sweden applied for admission to the EU, in November 1994 the Swedish people approved the EU in a referendum, and in January 1995 Sweden became a full member of the EU.

Sweden announced that it shares the EU's long-term goals and supports its efforts to create an economic and political union. Within the EU, Sweden is focusing on the process of EU enlargement, increased employment, greater transparency in decision-making, gender equality and tighter environmental policies.

The Swedish policy of non-participation in military alliances remains unchanged. This policy contributes to maintaining stability in Northern Europe. Sweden also makes a significant contribution to strengthening security throughout Europe through its active participation in the OSCE and the Council of Europe. Sweden is an observer in the WEU. Traditional northern cooperation is also developing within the framework of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Sweden traditionally pursues a policy of free trade and is a supporter of an open multilateral trading system based on the principles of the GATT and carried out within the framework of the WTO V. Zaderiy. Juvenile justice in the legal practice of a number of countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada and the USA // Specialized monthly magazine "Jurist", 2012. - No. 12. - with. 54. .

The main function of Swedish defense policy is to maintain peace while maintaining such a degree of readiness and military strength that the losses and casualties of a possible aggressor as a result of an attempt to capture the country markedly exceed the possible gains. Military establishment Sweden includes Land Forces, Navy, Air Force. Every year, recruits aged 18 years are called up for basic training for a period of 5 to 15 months. Then they are called for retraining every 4 years. In case of war, the Armed Forces can mobilize up to 850 thousand people. The regiments of the Ground Forces in peacetime exist only for training. Sweden does not have a standing army, and the airspace and territorial waters are under constant control of the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. Military spending is 2.1% of GDP. Armed forces built on a universal military service men aged 18 to 47 are declining. The decision of the Riksdag adopted in 2000 means a reduction in the number of military units and a simultaneous increase in their combat readiness and mobility. Military aviation is of great importance. Swedish units are in constant readiness to participate in international actions to resolve conflicts. More than 60,000 Swedish military personnel served in UN units in various parts of the world. Sweden actively participates in the NATO Partnership for Peace program and in the peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia.

constitutional monarchy rigsdag executive judicial

Chapter 2Sweden

2.1 King of Sweden

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and the functions of the head of state are performed by the king or queen. The reigning monarch, Carl XVI Gustaf, has been the head of state of Sweden since 1973.

The title is inherited by the eldest child in the reigning monarch's family, regardless of the child's gender. In 1979, the Act of Succession was amended to equalize male and female heirs to the Swedish throne. Thus, Princess Victoria, born in 1977, the first-born of the royal couple, became the heir to the crown.

According to the Form of Government, only a person who is a Swedish citizen and who is at least 18 years old, professing the Evangelical faith, as adopted and set forth in the Augsburg Confession and in the decision of the Uppsala Assembly of 1593, can be the head of state. In this faith, and within the boundaries of the state, the princes and princesses of the royal house should be brought up in the same way. A member of the royal family who does not profess this faith is deprived of the right to inherit the throne.

The Prince and Princess of the royal house may not marry unless the Government, at the suggestion of the King, has given its consent. He or she, by marrying without such consent, deprives himself, his children and descendants of the right to inherit the throne in the state.

The king cannot simultaneously be a minister or act as a talman or a member of the Riksdag. The Head of State must consult the Prime Minister before traveling abroad (as amended by Law 1994:1469).

If illness, travel abroad or any other reason prevents the King from performing his duties, then the duties of head of state shall temporarily be performed as regent by a member of the royal dynasty in accordance with current procedure succession to the throne, if there are no obstacles to this.

If the royal dynasty fades away, the Riksdag will subsequently appoint a regent to fulfill the duties of head of state. At the same time, the Riksdag will appoint a Deputy Regent. The same procedure applies if the King dies or leaves the throne, and the heir to the throne has not yet reached the age of 18.

If the King has been unable to perform his duties or has not performed them for six consecutive months, the Government must report this to the Riksdag. The Riksdag decides whether the King should be deemed to have left the throne.

By decision of the Government, the Riksdag may appoint someone to temporarily act as regent if no other person falling under sections 3 and 4 can act as regent.

The talman or, in his absence, the vice-talman, performs, by decision of the Government, the duties of a temporary regent, if no one else who has the right to do so can act in this capacity Boyko S.S. Special composition of courts general jurisdiction in ensuring the protection of rights and legitimate interests minors (administrative and legal aspect) // Yurist - Pravoved, 2010. - No. 1 - p. 79. .

The king cannot be held accountable for his actions. Responsibility in this case lies with the king's advisers - government ministers.

The head of the Swedish state is a symbol of the nation and its main representative in the international arena, which, however, does not have real political power. The monarch has ceremonial, representative functions. On behalf of Sweden, he visits other countries and acts as a host, hosting representatives of different countries in Sweden. He does not participate in political life. However, the king is the key figure in creating the public mood. The monarch is regularly informed about the state of affairs in the state. The King chairs the Foreign Policy Advisory Council.

At the beginning of each parliamentary year, the king opens a new session in the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament, with a speech. He does not participate in the work of the government and does not sign government documents.

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf. Carl Gustav Folke Hubertus was born on April 30, 1946 at the Haga Palace in Stockholm to Prince Gustav Adolf and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. By that time, the family already had four children, but all were girls, so the newborn turned out to be the eldest son and heir. In 1947, Prince Gustav Adolf tragically died in a plane crash at Copenhagen Airport (Denmark). After the death of his father in 1947, Carl Gustav was raised by his mother and grandfather, who in 1950 ascended the Swedish throne under the name of King Gustav VI. Simultaneously with the proclamation of the grandfather as king, the four-year-old grandson was proclaimed heir to the throne. The crown prince was first taught by private teachers invited to the palace. Then he began to attend the Broms school in Stockholm, then the Sigtuna boarding house.

The prince served two and a half years in the armed forces under a special program that included internships in all branches of the military, with particular emphasis on the navy. In the winter of 1966-1967, he went on a long trip on the minesweeper "Alvslabben", after which in 1968 he passed the exam for the rank of officer in the Navy. The prince continued his military education at the Swedish National Defense College, combining his studies with service on various ships of the navy. After military service, he studied one course at the University of Uppsala, and then another one at the Faculty of Economics of Stockholm University. The heir to the throne traveled a lot around the country, studying the activities of state and local governments, visiting factories, laboratories and schools. The Crown Prince took part in the activities of the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN and the Swedish International Agency for Development and Cooperation in Africa. Carl Gustav spent some time in London, working at Hambro`s Bank, the Swedish Embassy and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce, and then in France at the Alfa Laval plant.

September 15, 1973, after the death of his grandfather, Carl Gustav came to the Swedish throne. He rules under the motto "For the sake of Sweden and in step with the times." In accordance with the country's new constitution, which came into force in 1975, the king had, in fact, only ceremonial duties.

In 1972, the then Crown Prince Carl Gustav met at the Summer Olympics in Munich with an interpreter from Germany, Sylvia Sommerlath. In March 1976, they announced their engagement. The wedding took place on June 19, 1976 at the Stockholm Cathedral.

2.2 Government of Sweden

The Swedish government is recognized by the constitution as independent government agency exercising full executive power in the state. It depends on the parliament and is accountable to it. In accordance with this, the government is approved not by the king, but by the Riksdag.

The Prime Minister is considered elected unless a majority of the members of the Riksdag vote against him. This rule aims to facilitate the election of the head of government. If four times none of the candidates proposed by the Talman for voting is elected, he must dissolve the Riksdag and call new elections. Once elected, the prime minister must form a cabinet and submit it to the Riksdag for approval. Thus, the choice of candidates for all ministers, in strict accordance with the law, depends on the Parliament. In practice, however, the prime minister's role in this procedure is decisive. The Riksdag only approves his proposals on this issue. Ministers must have been Swedish citizens for at least 10 years.

The number of ministers may vary. In addition to those who head the ministries, the government may also include ministers without a portfolio, who are usually responsible for certain issues of the activities of the departments.

The role of the prime minister is very important. This is also due to the fact that he is the head of a party based on a parliamentary majority; the composition of the government depends on it. He has very broad powers: he determines government policy, can dismiss any minister, and determines the range of issues considered at government meetings. His opinion is decisive in appointments to important government posts and the creation of new departments.

The government may, for one reason or another, retire early. In this case, it continues to perform its functions until the formation of a new cabinet. This usually happens when it is not possible to resolve disagreements on the most important domestic political issues. But in general, Sweden is characterized by the stability of governments: for example, the Social Democrats were in power continuously for 44 years, and the governments included a fairly stable group of prominent figures in this party.

An important part of government powers is the establishment of a system of public administration. Although the Administrative Law clearly defines the list of ministries, the task of the government remains the creation of other administrative bodies - departments, agencies, other departments, which, along with departments, operate under the direct supervision of the government. It also defines their powers and the range of cases related to their conduct. However, many issues of the organization and activities of the administrative apparatus are regulated in special laws (the Administrative Law of 1971 and the Administrative Procedure Law of 1971), in accordance with which the government operates.

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In the centuries-old history of mankind, there have existed, replacing each other, a large number of states, and even now there are many of them. The classification of states into types is not all-encompassing. In the past, there were and still are quite a few so-called transitional states. Some of them arose as a result of the collapse of the colonial system and moved in their development to one of the existing types (most often to the bourgeois one), others combined the features of several types of states (for example, the Scandinavian states combine the features of a traditionally bourgeois state with the sprouts of a state of a socialist type) , others may have such signs and features that none of the known types of states have.

On the basis of feudal production relations, many states arose that were not known to the previous era. These are the states in England and France, Germany and Russia, the Czech Republic and Poland, the Scandinavian countries, Japan, etc. Even today, feudal remnants have been preserved in a number of countries.

The economic basis of the feudal state was the ownership of land by feudal lords and incomplete ownership of serfs. Feudal ownership of land served as the basis of social inequality. The main classes of society were feudal lords and serfs. At the same time, other social groups also existed: urban artisans, merchants, etc.

The class differentiation of feudal society was in a certain way combined with the division into estates, i.e. on such groups of people who differed from each other in the amount of rights and obligations enshrined in law. In Russia, for example, there were such privileged estates as princes, nobles and clergy. The estates of artisans, merchants, and philistines did not have the privileges that the upper classes had. The most disenfranchised were the serfs, who were forcibly attached to the land. Law openly consolidated class inequality and privileges. Throughout the history of feudal society, peasant uprisings and wars took place.

The feudal state was an instrument of the dictatorship of the feudal lords and privileged classes. In its development, it went through a number of stages:

a) decentralized feudal fragmentation;

b) strengthening centralization and establishing a class-representative monarchy;

c) centralized absolute monarchy and the disintegration of feudal statehood.

Most of the functions of the feudal state were determined by class contradictions. This is the protection of feudal property, the suppression of the resistance of the peasants and other exploited groups of the population. The state also performed functions arising from the needs of the whole society. His external activities were mainly limited to waging wars of conquest and protection from external attacks.

The state apparatus of the feudal state included the army, police and gendarmerie detachments, intelligence agencies, tax collection agencies, and courts.

The dominant form of the feudal state was a monarchy of various kinds. The republican form of government existed only in the states-republics (Venice, Genoa, Novgorod, Pskov, etc.).

At the last stage, bourgeois (capitalist) production relations began to emerge in the depths of feudal society, requiring a worker who freely sells his labor. But the development of new relations was hindered by the feudal lords and their state. Therefore, sharp contradictions arose between the young bourgeoisie and the feudal lords, which were resolved through bourgeois-democratic revolutions. As a result of the latter, a new type of state arose - the bourgeois (capitalist) state.

This type of state turned out to be the most resilient, capable of adapting to changing conditions. The first capitalist states arose more than three centuries ago. The bourgeoisie came to power under the slogan "Freedom, Equality, Fraternity". The establishment of bourgeois statehood in comparison with feudal statehood is a huge step forward along the path of social progress.

The economic basis of the bourgeois state in the early stages of its development was capitalist private ownership of the means of production. In this state, all citizens are equal before the law, but economic inequality persists. Bourgeois society for a long time consisted of two main classes - the bourgeoisie and workers, relations between which underwent significant changes.

The bourgeois state goes through a number of stages in its development.

The first stage can be called the period of formation and development of the capitalist state. In economic terms, this is a period of free competition for a large number of owners. The state does not interfere in the economy here. Economic life is determined by the spontaneous market and competition. To reveal the general class interests and will of the developing bourgeoisie, a new, more modern mechanism was needed. Bourgeois democracy, parliamentarism, legality became such a mechanism. The state provided favorable conditions for the development of capitalist social relations. The class struggle has not yet reached a particular acuteness.

The second stage in the development of the bourgeois state coincided with the period of monopoly capitalism. It can be called the stage of the beginning and deepening of the crisis of bourgeois statehood (the end of the 19th century - the first half of the 20th century). The economy is undergoing major changes at this stage. To increase competition, small enterprises and firms unite, various types of production and distribution are monopolized, powerful associations arise - trusts, syndicates, corporations, etc.; the exploitation of the working class is intensified, the effective demand of the population lags behind the production of goods.

This resulted in periodic crises and depressions, accompanied by the bankruptcy of enterprises, rising unemployment, and exacerbation of the class struggle. The monopolization and concentration of capital led to the unification of the working class, which became the bearer of revolutionary Marxist ideas. The Paris Commune of 1871 is historically the first attempt by the working class to win state power in a revolutionary way and use it in their own interests.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the bourgeois state is increasingly turning into a political institution of the big monopoly bourgeoisie, which is beginning to renounce democracy and the rule of law. In a number of countries this leads to the emergence of reactionary political regimes (fascist regimes in Germany and Italy). In the internal activities of the bourgeois states, the function of fighting the revolutionary workers' movement is intensified, in the external - the function of waging wars for the seizure of foreign territories and markets. All this is accompanied by the growth of the military-bureaucratic state apparatus. First decades of the 20th century - these are the years of the First World War, proletarian revolutions, the collapse of the colonial system, severe economic crises and depressions. Bourgeois society and the state inevitably faced a tough alternative - either self-destruction under the onslaught of sharp contradictions, or reform and transformation. They chose the second path.

In the 30s. of our century, the bourgeois state has entered the third (modern) stage of its development, which, in all likelihood, is a transition to a higher type of state. It was initiated by the "New Deal" of US President F. Roosevelt, but more ambitious changes, coinciding with the unfolding scientific and technological revolution, took place after the Second World War. At this stage, the economic basis of the state changes significantly, "pure" private property ceases to be dominant. Up to 30% or more of the economic potential of developed countries is turning into state property, the property of shareholders is rapidly developing, and cooperative property is emerging. In a word, the economy becomes mixed. The diversity of types and forms of ownership gives the economy greater dynamism, the ability to adapt to changing conditions.

No less changes are taking place in the social class structure of society. Many workers become shareholders and, together with other sections of society (scientific and technical intelligentsia, etc.), form the "middle" class - the main stabilizer of social relations.

The state retains its bourgeois-class features, but becomes more democratic and social. Many of its main functions stem from the needs of the whole society - economic, social. It actively intervenes in the economy through flexible planning, placement of government orders, lending, and so on.

The changes taking place in the developed capitalist countries are reflected in various theories. Considerable distribution, for example, was received by the theory of the welfare state. According to this theory, at the stage under consideration, capitalism changed radically, it became people's capitalism, and the bourgeois state completely lost its class character, turned into an organ of general welfare, making the rich poorer and the poor richer with the help of state legal regulation. This theory, of course, is based on real processes, facts, but still essentially idealizes bourgeois society and the state Alekseev S.S. Theory of Government and Rights.

Many see the "Swedish model" as a separate, special path that "runs" between capitalism and socialism. According to this approach, by favoring a third system outside of capitalism and socialism, societies can achieve prosperity and social justice. In a model in which the state is the dominant actor, it is the state that ensures rapid economic growth, and also, by satisfying the basic needs of all citizens, is able to fight poverty and inequality through a redistributive policy based on a taxation system. Sweden did not become a wealthy country because of social democracy, a "big state" and extensive welfare spending. Sweden began to develop intensively through the adoption of a market economy policy in the late XIX - early XX century. With the help of property rights, free markets, and the efficiency of many highly educated entrepreneurs and engineers, Sweden created an environment conducive to economic growth, and on a scale never seen before in the country's history. In the years following economic liberalization, the country experienced significant economic progress. From 1870 to 1936, Sweden had the highest rate of growth in the industrial world. Meanwhile, from 1936 to 2008, out of 28 industrialized countries, Sweden occupied only 18th place.

Sweden's economic growth was also facilitated by its social culture. The main principles of this culture were a high level of people's trust in each other, a small amount of social friction, which is explained by a relatively homogeneous population, strict norms of behavior that stimulated devotion and intensive work. These factors also contributed to the success of the Swedish emigrants in the places where they were located. Swedes who emigrated to the United States in the 19th century, despite the fact that the United States had a less developed welfare state, had a lower unemployment rate, and, notably, their income is 50% higher than that of their relatives in Sweden.

Thus, Sweden began to prosper even before the formation of the welfare state thanks to a market economy and related cultural characteristics. In 1950, tax revenue in Sweden was only 21% of the country's GDP. The transition to a "big state" and higher taxes took the next 30 years, and annually taxes increased GDP by 1%.

The rapid growth of the state gave way to a certain decline, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1975, Sweden was among the four richest countries in terms of GDP per capita. In 1993, Sweden occupied only 14th position. By becoming a "big state", Sweden had a devastating effect on entrepreneurship. After 1970, the number of newly created firms decreased. An interesting fact: only 2 of the 100 Swedish firms that had the highest income in 2004 were formed after 1970, 21 of them were created before 1913. Also, even before the formation of the "welfare state" in Sweden, the principles of equality in country. In other words, equality was not the result of the welfare state. The transition to it entailed various social problems. Perhaps the most important of these was the high dependence on the state that arose among certain groups.

The economic crisis of the early 1990s and the growth of social payments, which the country's economy was unable to cope with, forced Sweden to change the policy of the "welfare state". The Swedish leadership was forced to take steps in this direction, and market reforms were carried out in the field of education, healthcare, and pensions. Thanks to this, Sweden, as shown by international indices, has increased the degree of economic freedom.

Thus, Sweden is a welfare state or welfare state of Atilla Jaila. Sweden and the welfare state.

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The Constitution, which came into force on January 1, 1975, is the Constitution of Sweden. Administrative division - 21 counties: Blekinge, Värmland, Västerbotten, Västernorrland, Västmanland, Västra Götaland, Gotland, Dalarna, Gävleborg, Jämtland, Jönköping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Södermanland, Skåne, Stockholm, Uppsala, Halland, Örebro, Esterjetland .

The Swedish Constitution consists of 4 separate documents: the Act on the form of government, adopted in 1974, the Act on the succession to the throne, in force since 1810, the Freedom of the Press Act 1949 (originating from 1766) and the Freedom of Expression Act, which came into force in 1991. In addition Moreover, the Riksdag Act 1974 occupies an intermediate position between the Basic Law and ordinary statutory law.

The supreme body of legislative power is the Riksdag.

The highest body of executive power is the government.

The head of state - King Carl XVI Gustaf (since September 19, 1973) is endowed with purely representative or ceremonial functions and is a symbol of the Swedish state and the nation Fish G. Small countries of Western Europe. - M., 2014. - p. 57. .

Since 1971, the Riksdag of Switzerland has been unicameral and consists of 349 deputies elected by universal, direct, and secret suffrage once every four years. Residents of the country enjoy the right to vote from the age of 18. Seats in the Riksdag are allocated on a proportional basis to parties that receive at least 4% of the vote in an election.

The Swedish administrative system is characterized by the division of tasks between ministries and central administrative bodies. The central government consists of 13 small ministries (their staff does not exceed 100 people), mainly engaged in the preparation of draft laws for the government. The Council of Ministers meets once a week to approve decisions and is collectively responsible for all decisions made. Law enforcement is entrusted to 100 relatively independent central institutions and the boards of the lahns.

Until 1971, Sweden was divided into 850 communes, each of which had its own elected assembly of commissioners. The number of communes has now been reduced to 288. The rights and obligations of the communes include the construction of various structures and the provision of a wide range of services: housing and road construction, sewerage and water supply, primary and secondary education, social assistance, care for the elderly, child care, etc. . The communes have the right to levy income tax.

Between the state and communal levels there is a regional level of government. At this level, the country is divided into lans. The state power is represented in each lane by the governor and the board of the lane. Lan governors are appointed by the government for a term of 6 years and head the board of the lan. The members of the board of the Lane are appointed by the Landsting, which is elected and responsible for health care and certain types of education. Landstings collect income tax.

The political parties are well organized in the Riksdag and outside it. The Social Democratic Labor Party of Sweden, founded in 1889, is the ruling, largest in the country, is closely associated with the movement of workers' trade unions, and represents the ideas of the Swedish model of democratic socialism. The conservative Moderate coalition party was founded in 1904 (until 1969 - the Right Party), expresses the interests of large companies and top officials. The Center Party was founded in 1910 (before 1957 - the Peasant Union), expresses the interests of medium and small landowners, as well as parts of the middle and small urban bourgeoisie. The People's Party - the Liberals - was founded in 1895 (until 1990 - the People's Party), represents the interests of the large, middle and part of the petty bourgeoisie, officials. The Left Party was founded in 1917 on the basis of the left wing of the Social Democratic Party (until 1921 - the Social Democratic Left Party, in 1921 it was renamed the Communist Party, in 1967 - the Left Party - Communists, since 1990 it has its current name). The environmental protection party - "green" - founded in 1981, expresses the ideas of environmental protection. The clerical bourgeois party Christian Democrats was founded in 1964 (until 1987 - the Christian Democratic Union). Since 1966 the state has been subsidizing the political parties that have a seat in the Riksdag.

The largest organization representing business circles is the Association of Swedish Entrepreneurs, founded in 1902.

An important role in the life of Sweden is played by the trade union movement, which unites in its ranks about 80% of the total economically active population of the country. However, there is no single trade union center in the country. The Central Association of Trade Unions in Sweden, the largest in the country, was founded in 1898 and unites about 1.2 million people employed in the leading branches of industry, the public utilities sector, and the service sector. The Central Association of Trade Unions of Employees was formed in 1944 and unites employees in the private and public sectors. The Central Organization of Persons with Higher Education was established in 1947 and unites teachers, engineers, doctors, and so on.

During both world wars, Sweden remained neutral. Thanks to this, and also due to other circumstances, she managed to stay away from hostilities. After World War II, Sweden continued its traditional policy of freedom from alliances in times of peace and neutrality in times of war, and based its security on a strong national defense system. Therefore, politically, Sweden's involvement in European affairs did not go beyond participation in the Council of Europe.

In the 1960s and 70s Sweden's foreign policy has focused on helping developing countries and global environmental issues, as well as supporting disarmament efforts within the UN and confidence-building measures in Europe. Support for the UN and its Charter remains one of the fundamental elements of Swedish foreign policy. Sweden allocates about 1% of its GDP to help developing countries.

In the 1980s The doctrine of general security, aimed at reducing armaments in Europe and supporting the idea of ​​general and complete disarmament throughout the world, has become the central element of Sweden's foreign policy. 132..

For a long time, the policy of neutrality prevented Sweden from seeking EU membership. Sweden was content with membership in a less rigidly organized EFTA. However, changes in Europe and the end of the Cold War have made it possible to reconsider this position. In July 1991, Sweden applied for admission to the EU, in November 1994 the Swedish people approved the EU in a referendum, and in January 1995 Sweden became a full member of the EU.

Sweden announced that it shares the EU's long-term goals and supports its efforts to create an economic and political union. Within the EU, Sweden is focusing on the process of EU enlargement, increased employment, greater transparency in decision-making, gender equality and tighter environmental policies.

The Swedish policy of non-participation in military alliances remains unchanged. This policy contributes to maintaining stability in Northern Europe. Sweden also makes a significant contribution to strengthening security throughout Europe through its active participation in the OSCE and the Council of Europe. Sweden is an observer in the WEU. Traditional northern cooperation is also developing within the framework of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Sweden traditionally pursues a policy of free trade and is a supporter of an open multilateral trading system based on the principles of the GATT and carried out within the framework of the WTO V. Zaderiy. Juvenile justice in the legal practice of a number of countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada and the USA // Specialized monthly magazine "Jurist", 2012. - No. 12. - with. 54. .

The main function of Swedish defense policy is to maintain peace while maintaining such a degree of readiness and military strength that the losses and casualties of a possible aggressor as a result of an attempt to capture the country markedly exceed the possible gains. The armed forces of Sweden include the Land Forces, the Navy, and the Air Force. Every year, recruits aged 18 years are called up for basic training for a period of 5 to 15 months. Then they are called for retraining every 4 years. In case of war, the Armed Forces can mobilize up to 850 thousand people. The regiments of the Ground Forces in peacetime exist only for training. Sweden does not have a standing army, and the airspace and territorial waters are under constant control of the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. Military spending is 2.1% of GDP. The armed forces, built on the universal conscription of men aged 18 to 47, are being reduced. The decision of the Riksdag adopted in 2000 means a reduction in the number of military units and a simultaneous increase in their combat readiness and mobility. Military aviation is of great importance. Swedish units are in constant readiness to participate in international actions to resolve conflicts. More than 60,000 Swedish military personnel served in UN units in various parts of the world. Sweden actively participates in the NATO Partnership for Peace program and in the peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia.

constitutional monarchy rigsdag executive judicial

Sweden- unitary state, consisting of 29 districts ( Lenov). The form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The functions of the king are significantly limited and reduced mainly to a ceremonial character. The functions of the executive power are transferred to the government, formed by the Swedish parliament, to which it is accountable.

The government is appointed depending on the alignment of forces in parliament. The government is headed by the prime minister, who determines and appoints the composition of the cabinet of ministers, approved by parliament.

Swedish Parliament - Riksdag unicameral representative body elected on the basis of proportional representation.

An interesting feature of the state structure of Sweden is the right to dissolve the Riksdag by the government, which has a number of conditions regarding terms, procedures, etc.

Central power in the fiefs is exercised by governors, who represent executive power in the regions.

There are local authorities landstings . The foundations of local self-government in Sweden were laid in 1862 by an ordinance, according to which 2.5 thousand districts were formed - according to the number of church parishes.

Currently, the territory of Sweden is divided into 288 communes, each has its own elected body. The source of local power at the communal and land levels are councils, elected on a proportional basis according to the number of votes received by the party. There are no single-member constituencies in Sweden at any level.

The powers between the state and municipal authorities are clearly separated and do not cause any contradictions.

The main financial source of municipalities and regional bodies is the direct local tax on individuals set by local authorities. The Swedish Parliament determines only the lower and upper limits of the amount of the tax.

The total number of people's deputies, who hold the highest power in the communes, is about 50 thousand people. However, in the executive body of the communes, only one or two people receive wages for their work.

Issues of relations between enterprises and municipalities are resolved on the basis of agreements between industry trade unions and associations of municipal and provincial employees, which are based on individual contracts on working conditions and mutual obligations of the parties.

  1. Government authorities in Germany

The system of state and municipal government in Germany is the interaction between five administrative levels: federation, states, districts, districts and communities. The state structure is based on two principles:

The duty of the lands to maintain the capacity of their territories for self-government and development;

The principle of alignment and consolidation of local territorial entities.

The constitutional legislative body at the federal level is the BUNDESTAG (lower house) and the BUNDESTRAT (upper house). Most bills are introduced by the federal government, a smaller one by members of parliament and the Bundesrat.

Bundesrat- The upper house of the German parliament represents the interests of 16 states. It consists not of elected deputies as in the USA and Sweden, but members of the land governments or their representatives, depending on the population of the land, provided in proportion to the number of votes. The interests of the states in the Bundesrat are placed above the interests of political parties.

The executive power of Germany is exercised by the federal government, which is headed by the federal chancellor. He has the right to appoint the government and chairs its meetings, determines the main directions of the government's activities. The chancellor is responsible to the parliament that elected him to this position.

The judicial system is divided into five branches: ordinary courts, labor courts, administrative courts, social affairs courts, and financial courts. The courts of the German judicial system are: the district court, the regional court, the supreme regional court and federal court. Outside this judicial system is the Constitutional Court, the main function is to oversee the observance of the Constitution and the conformity of laws to it, and to resolve disputes between the bodies of the federation and the lands.

The subjects of municipal government in Germany are local territorial units, which are understood as communities (communes), which include towns and villages, which together make up the entire territory of Germany. Several communities are part of the districts, with the division of competence between them. Large cities are not subordinate to districts, they develop their own direction of activity. Bremen and Hamburg have city-state status. They combine the land and communal levels of government.

In Germany, there are no elected bodies of self-government by districts, they are at a lower level. The main purpose of the lands is to bring the state administration as close as possible to the citizens. Self-government, having great powers of executive power, is under the strict control of the state. The transfer by the federation and the states of part of their powers to the local level forms a special area management on behalf.

The main task of the state at the regional level of management is the strategy of leveling the economic development of the country's territory.

Historically, the following types of local government have developed in Germany:

The South German council, which implies equal-level interaction between the community council and the head of the executive branch - the burgomaster.

“Wrong magistrate”, which implies the presence in the system of municipal government of two colleges: a meeting of deputies of the communities and a magistrate, a collective executive body.

Burgomaster, appointed by the council, but with broad powers.

North German council, involving the interaction of the council, community director and management committee.

New for Germany was: the election of the burgomaster (local government) in North Rhine-Westphalia, when he was simultaneously transferred to the functions of chief executive and head of the community council.