A Clean House?: Studies of Corruption in Sweden

In virtually all popular indices and scales measuring bribery and dishonesty on a national level, Sweden performs strongly with its quality of rule of law and absence of corruption. But does this automatically imply that this “least sickly” patient can be declared perfectly healthy? By extensively reviewing existing research and consulting various sources of data, the authors of “A Clean House?” attempt to unpack the Swedish case. What do we know about corruption in Sweden, and what can be said of such affairs over time in the country? The four scholars of political science demonstrate that countries typically viewed as low-corruption states can have particular problems of a different type that should not be underestimated nor neglected.

Andreas Bergh is Associate Professor in economics at Lund university and the Research Institute of Industrial Economics. His research concerns the welfare state, institutions, development, globalization and social norms.

Gissur Ó Erlingsson is Associate Professor in political science at Centre of Municipality Studies, Linköping university.

Richard Öhrvall is a PhD candidate in political science at Linköping University and researcher at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics. His research has been published in journals such as Acta Politica, Electoral Studies, Local Government Studies, and in several essays in anthologies.

Mats Sjölin is Professor in political science at Linnaeus University, Växjö. He has led the research project from which this book has evolved, as well as projects on political ethics and party government.