Förändrade villkor för riksdagens partigrupper

Abstract

Changing Conditions for Party Groups of the Swedish Riksdag

In this special issue of Statsvetenskaplig tidskrift, the intention is to study the cartelization of the Swedish party system based on the party groups of the Swedish Riksdag. Especially if we investigate whether the parliamentary party groups have become increasingly similar from the late 20th century to the first decade of the 21st century. This purpose is treated in six distinct sub-studies designed to address gaps in the theory of cartelization of political parties. Conditions for party change are related to party finance, gender and medialization. The significance of these conditions may be different, however, depending on the internal cultures of parliamentary party groups: some party cultures may impede while other may facilitate cartelization. Party change is analyzed through a study of the parties’ degree of politicization along with a discussion of cartelization and political representation.