The Swedish Discourse on Sustainable Regional Development: Consolidating the Post-political Condition

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an investigation into how sustainable development was introduced as a new objective for regional development policy in Sweden. Specific attention is given to the basic assumptions underlying the shaping of sustainable regional development (SRD) as a new policy goal in the Swedish regional development policy arena, which is a main arena for regional planning in Sweden. The overall aim is to chart and critically assess official Swedish SRD policy discourse using an analytical approach inspired by Foucauldian discourse analysis; that is, targeting both text and practice through examination of policy documents and institutional settings. Of key interest are the norms and power relations produced and reproduced through the discourse. In the study, holism, equilibrium and consensus are identified as key storylines of the Swedish SRD discourse. In essence, our findings indicate a further (re)production and consolidation of a post-political approach that provides no input to developing any alternative trajectory for society. The concluding discussion concerns the need to challenge the post-political condition and reassert the political and ideological content of the aims and visions for SRD, as well as for development in general.

Between protocol and reality – Swedish municipal comprehensive planning

“…These have been hard to realize, that is, because the process of regionalization and the creation of new regions causes confusion regarding the tasks of the different planning bodies at different geographical levels (Statens offentliga utredningar, 2016;Stjernström et al, 2013) Furthermore, public authorities are sectionalized (cf. Hilding-Rydevik et al, 2011;Montin et al, 2014). Many land uses, such as extraction of valuable substances and minerals, forestry and agriculture, are either of national interest or 'of national importance', governed by other laws and managed by specific national or regional governmental agencies or national boards.…”

“…There is, however, a legal requirement that MCP should be coordinated with national and regional objectives, policies and programmes. Furthermore, there have been strong expectations within Swedish regional policy on inter-municipal collaboration and regional coordination for the MCP process (Hilding-Rydevik, Håkansson, & Isaksson, 2011).…”

“Learning is our Achilles heel”. Conditions for long-term environmental policy integration in Swedish regional development programming

“…Also, overcoming traditionally cemented sectorisation, finding ways to interact across sectors and spreading responsibility for sustainable development in the regional organisations and between public and private organisations have proved problematic. Similar patterns of inertias are found in Sweden (Valve and Grönqvist 2003, Håkansson et al 2007, Mobjörk 2007, Dovlén and Hilding-Rydevik 2008, Storbjörk 2008, Storbjörk et al 2009, Polk 2010, Asplund et al 2011, Hilding-Rydevik et al 2011 and internationally (Gibbs et al 2002, Flynn et al 2003, Zamora 2003, Molitor 2003, Berger 2003.…”

Omställning – Tillväxt – Effektivisering : Energifrågor vid renovering av flerbostadshus

“…Det verkar inte vara ett ovanligt resultat. Exempelvis har Hilding-Rydevik, Håkansson et al (2011) konstaterat att det svårt att iscensätta alternativa sätt att arbeta med miljö-och energifrågor på i urbana bebyggda miljöer som avviker från en redan utstakad riktning (Hilding-Rydevik, Håkansson et al 2011). I studien har jag visat att hur energiarbetet utformades i renoveringen inte medförde större förändringar av etablerade relationer mellan exempelvis fjärrvärme-systemet och Gavlegårdarna, eller mellan de boende och husens energisystem.…”