Den ojämlika jämlikheten - en kritisk idéanalys av svensk jämlikhet mellan 1960-2005
DiskrimineringJämlikhetSocial konstruktionMaktMänniskovärdeSocial sciencesSamhällsvetenskaperPolitical and administrative sciencesStatsvetenskapFörvaltningskunskapSocial SciencesLaw and Political Science
AbstractSweden is a country with good reputation when it comes to questions aboutequality. The definition of equality is not always explicit though. The aim of thisthesis is to examine what Swedish equality is and what it should be. By studyingdescriptions of equality and discrimination in the political programs of the partiesof the Swedish parliament from the sixties until today, I examine which groupsare included and excluded from the concept of equality. The analyse shows thatthe concept initially was only referring to class matters. Later on this focusextended to include gender and ethnicity, and in the last few years, it has alsocome to include sexual identity. I criticise this simplistic and narrow view onequality, and challenge it with other examples of discriminated groups. Thediscourse about equality must be seen in terms of power implications. The factthat discriminated categories are given different priority and that some categoriesare not mentioned at all results in an unequal political praxis. The consequences ofthe present simplistic discrimination discourse must be held against the politicalconviction of the principle of human value. A democratic society where everyperson has the possibility to be heard and respected requires a broader concept ofequality.