Den ojämlika jämlikheten - en kritisk idéanalys av svensk jämlikhet mellan 1960-2005

Sammanfattning

Abstract

Sweden is a country with good reputation when it comes to questions about

equality. The definition of equality is not always explicit though. The aim of this

thesis is to examine what Swedish equality is and what it should be. By studying

descriptions of equality and discrimination in the political programs of the parties

of the Swedish parliament from the sixties until today, I examine which groups

are included and excluded from the concept of equality. The analyse shows that

the concept initially was only referring to class matters. Later on this focus

extended to include gender and ethnicity, and in the last few years, it has also

come to include sexual identity. I criticise this simplistic and narrow view on

equality, and challenge it with other examples of discriminated groups. The

discourse about equality must be seen in terms of power implications. The fact

that discriminated categories are given different priority and that some categories

are not mentioned at all results in an unequal political praxis. The consequences of

the present simplistic discrimination discourse must be held against the political

conviction of the principle of human value. A democratic society where every

person has the possibility to be heard and respected requires a broader concept of

equality.