The Swedish Model in the Labour Market

The Swedish model in the labour market in the post war period has been internationally famous for high levels of labour organisation, centralised wage formation, industrial relationship's characterised by trust and mutual understanding, resulting in few conflicts and the absence of governmental income policy. Further characteristics are low unemployment and a high female labour force participation rate. The aim of this course is to discuss the features, background and development of the Swedish labour market model.

Labour market issues are treated in relationship to economic and market change since the industrial breakthrough in late the 20th century, especially the post World War II period. Focus is on Swedish conditions, but international comparisons are made. Empirical descriptions are related to social theory of science and labour market outcomes are related to department's and policy including its gender aspects. Economic and demographic preconditions for the supply and demand of labour are discussed, with specific stress on imbalances in the labour market and policy responses to unemployment or shortage of labour. The issues of the female labour supply, labour immigration and the expansion of higher education are treated in relationship to policy and labour market institutions. General trend's in wages and working conditions are related to specific wage formation systems. The formation and functioning of the collective bargaining systems is discussed and related to changes in economic structure and industrial relationship's in general.