SWEDEN

Sweden's democratic institutions are for the most part extraordinarily strong. Elections are fair, media freedom valued, and corruption almost unknown.

Civil rights groups have criticized prison conditions, and the government's surrender of refugees to the American CIA.

Immigrants have had some trouble with labor market discrimination.

Sweden's longstanding labor policy activism has helped lead to high employment rates and high labor compensation.

However, business groups have argued that the labor market is overregulated and inflexible. Employers pay large fees associated with every employee.

Taxes are high, balanced by high job security and an extensive welfare system. After the 1990s economic crisis, budgets have been disciplined.

Sweden's welfare state is extensive, with poverty and socioeconomic disparity low. However, immigrants and citizens on welfare are often segregated.

The high-quality health system is effectively free, but rising demand has led to long wait times.

Gender equity is an important goal. Family support is generous, with both working parents offered leave and subsidized child care.

Reforms have led to declining pensions, with more people opting for private supplements.

Despite a longstanding tradition of neutrality, Sweden's defense industry is well-developed and competitive. The country contributes to multilateral military operations.

Some fear that the country's open, relatively low-security culture is vulnerable to terrorism.

Efforts to integrate the large immigrant population have been comprehensive, but not wholly successful.

Sweden has been a leader with respect to issues of sustainability, although many measures have targeted efficient resource use, rather than reduced consumption.

The country is heavily dependent on nuclear energy. It is a top OECD spender on research, with much of the economy focused on research-intensive industries.

Public spending on education is high, but test scores have hovered at average levels.

Strategic planning, advised by experts, is a foundation of Swedish policy-making.

Decisions are made collectively by the cabinet. The prime minister's office serves a coordinating role, particularly in coalition governments.

RIAs are not systematically conducted. Longstanding ties between trade unions and Social Democratic governments have weakened somewhat.

Conflicting government statements are rare, but do occur.

The Swedish system has few veto holders, with no second legislative chamber or constitutional court. The monarch can not block legislation.

A legal council composed of judges reviews proposed legislation, but its recommendations can be ignored.

Local governments' policy implementation is sometimes hampered by insufficient funding.

Though internationally very active, Sweden has opted out of several EU coordinated policy areas. In some of these cases, the country's own standards are higher.

Its neutral position keeps the country from full participation in UN and NATO missions. The country has long exported elements of its constitutional and welfare state models to other nations.

A regular system of governmental review, conducted by royal commissions, has led to consistent institutional reform.

As a unitary state with a technocratic style, Sweden's institutional reforms have largely been efficient. However, difficulties in controlling autonomous agencies have persisted.

Swedish citizens have a high degree of policy understanding, stemming from the role of parties in propagating information, and a high-quality media environment.

Parliament has considerable oversight powers. The well-developed ombuds office is the world's oldest.

Interest groups, particularly business and trade unions, play an active part in policy-making.