Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism
Abdulkadir YıldızSweden has long been known as a country where constitutionalism was predominantly carried out through political processes. In these processes, the implementation and interpretation of constitutional norms and principles were mainly conducted through political institutions and mechanisms. Political processes, notably parliamentary decisionmaking and executive actions have increasingly overshadowed the traditional role of legal institutions in interpreting and enforcing constitutional principles. However, in recent decades, Swedish constitutionalism has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a political approach to a legal one. The judiciary has increasingly taken on a greater role in interpreting and applying the constitution, while constitutional review mechanisms have been strengthened. This study delves into the dynamics of Swedish political constitutionalism and examines the potential for a shift towards legal constitutionalism. Through a thorough exploration of these dynamics, this study sheds light on the evolving landscape of constitutional governance in Sweden.
PDF View
References
- Anwar S, Bayer P and Hjalmarsson R ‘Politics in the Courtroom: Political Ideology and Jury Decision Making’, (2019) 17(3) Journal of the European Economic Association 834-875 google scholar
- Aristotle, Politika (translated by F. Akderin 3rd edn. Say 2017) google scholar
- Backlund A, ‘Government Formation and the Radical Right: A Swedish Exception?’, (2023) 58 Government and Opposition 882-898 google scholar
- Bell J, ‘Sweden’s Contribution to Governance of the Judiciary’, (2007) 52 Scandinavian Studies in Law 83-101 google scholar
- Bjarup J, ‘The Philosophy of Scandinavian Legal Realism’, (2005) 18(1) Ratio Juris 1-15 google scholar
- Bellamy R, Political Constitutionalism: A Republican Defence of the Constitutionality of Democracy (Cambridge University Press 2007) google scholar
- Bellquist, EC, ‘Foreign Governments and Politics: The Five Hundredth Anniversary of the Swedish Riksdag’, (1935) 29(5) The American Political Science Review 857-865 google scholar
- Bergman T, ‘Sweden: From Separation of Power to Parliamentary Supremacy—and Back Again?’ In Delegation andAccountability in Parliamentary Democracies, ed. Kaare Strom, Wolfgang C. Müller, and Torbjörn Bergman, Comparative Politics. (Oxford University Press 2003) google scholar
- Bull T, ‘Judges without a Court—Judicial Preview in Sweden.’ In The Legal Protection of Human Rights: Sceptical Essays, edited by Tom Campbell, K.D. Ewing, and Adam Tomkins, (Oxford University Press 2011) google scholar
- Bull T and Cameron I, ‘Legislative Review for Human Rights Compatibility: A View from Sweden’ In Parliaments and Human Rights: Redressing the Democratic Deficit, ed. by Murray Hunt et al. (Oxford: Hart Publishing 2014) google scholar
- Bull T and Cameron I, ‘The Evolution and Gestalt of the Swedish Constitution’ In The Max Planck Handbooks in European Public Law: Volume II: Constitutional Foundations, ed. Armin von Bogdandy et al. (Oxford University Press 2023) google scholar
- Calatayud MM, ‘Criminal Policy Evaluation and Rationality in Legislative Procedure: The Example of Sweden’ In Towards a Rational Legislative Evaluation in Criminal Law, ed. Adan Nieto Martm and Mana Marcos Romero (Springer 2016) google scholar
- Cappelletti M, The Judicial Process in Comparative Perspective (Oxford University Press 1989) google scholar
- Castillo-Ortiz P, ‘The Dilemmas of Constitutional Courts and the Case for a New Design of Kelsenian Institutions’ (2020) Law and Philosophy 617-655 google scholar
- Dahlberg M, ‘Openness of Constitutional Review: A Comparative Analysis of How Transparency is Ensured in Ex Ante Constitutional Review’ In European Yearbook of Constitutional Law 2021: Constitutional Advice, ed. Jan de Poorter et al. (TMC Asser Press 2021) google scholar
- Diesen C, ‘Lay Judges in Sweden. A Short Introduction’, (2001) 72(1-2) Revue internationale de droit penal 313-315 google scholar
- Dixon R, ‘The Forms, Functions, and Varieties of Weak(ened) Judicial Review’, (2019) 17(3) International Journal of Constitutional Law 904-930 google scholar
- Duy IN, ‘New Trends in Scandinavian Constitutional Review’, (2015) 61 Scandinavian Studies in Law 11-48 google scholar
- Ely JH, Democracy and Distrust: A Theory of Judicial Review (Harvard University Press 1980) google scholar
- Ervo L, ‘Culture and Mentality in East-Nordic Courts’, In Rethinking Nordic Courts, ed. Laura Ervo et al. (Springer 2021) google scholar
- Fallon RH, ‘The Meaning of Legal “Meaning” and Its Implications for Theories of Legal Interpretation’, (2015) 82(3) University of Chicago Law Review 1235-1308 google scholar
- Gardbaum S, ‘Comparative Political Process Theory’, (2020) 18(4) International Journal of Constitutional Law 1429-1457 google scholar
- Gardbaum S, ‘Comparative Political Process Theory II’, (2024) Global Constitutionalism 1-19 google scholar
- Ghavanini AW, Grendstad G and Schaffer JK, ‘Institutions that Define the Policymaking Role of Courts: A Comparative Analysis of the Supreme Courts of Scandinavia’, (2023) 21(3) International Journal of Constitutional Law 770-797 google scholar
- Ginsburg T, ‘The Global Spread of Constitutional Review’ In The Oxford Handbook of Law and Politics, ed. Gregory A. Caldeira et al. (Oxford University Press 2009) google scholar
- Ginsburg T and Versteeg M, ‘Why Do Countries Adopt Constitutional Review?’, (2014) 30(3) The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization 587-622 google scholar
- Goldsworthy J, ‘Introduction’ in The Sovereignty of Parliament: History and Philosophy, (Online edition, Oxford Academic 2001). google scholar
- Greene, A, ‘Parliamentary Sovereignty and the Locus of Constituent Power in the United Kingdom’, (2020) 18(4) International Journal of Constitutional Law 1166-1200 google scholar
- Harel A and Shinar A, ‘Between Judicial and Legislative Supremacy: A Cautious Defense of Constrained Judicial Review’, (2012) 10(4) International Journal of Constitutional Law 950-975 google scholar
- Hautamaki V, ‘Reasons for Saying: No Thanks! Analyzing the Discussion about the Necessity of a Constitutional Court in Sweden and Finland’, (2006) 10(1) Electronic Journal of Comparative Law google scholar
- Hirschl R, ‘The Political Origins of the New Constitutionalism’, (2004) 11(1) Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies 71-108 google scholar
- Holmström B, ‘The Judicialization of Politics in Sweden’, (1994) 15(2) International Political Science Review 153-164 google scholar
- Husa J, ‘Guarding the Constitutionality of Laws in the Nordic Countries: A Comparative Perspective’, (2000) 48(3) The American Journal of Comparative Law 345-382 google scholar
- Husa J, ‘Locking in Constitutionality Control in Finland’, (2020) 16(2) European Constitutional Law Review 249-274 google scholar
- Jansson S, The (Un)Political Lay Judge System in Sweden (Master’s thesis 2021) google scholar
- Krause S, ‘The Spirit of Separate Powers in Montesquieu’, (2000) 62(2) The Review of Politics 231-265 google scholar
- Kramer LD, The People Themselves: Popular Constitutionalism and Judicial Review (Oxford University Press 2004) google scholar
- Lavapuro J, Ojanen T and Scheinin M, ‘Rights-based Constitutionalism in Finland and the Development of Pluralist Constitutional Review’, (2011) 9(2) International Journal of Constitutional Law 505-531 google scholar
- Lindvall J, Back H, Dahlström C, Naurin E and Teorell J, ‘Sweden’s Parliamentary Democracy at 100’, (2020) 73(3) Parliamentary Affairs 477-502 google scholar
- Melero, MC. Weak Constitutionalism and the Legal Dimension of the Constitution. (2022) 11(3) Global Constitutionalism 494-517 google scholar
- Nergelius J, ‘Judicial Review in Swedish Law - A Critical Analysis’, (2009) 27(2) Nordisk Tidsskrift for Menneskerettigheter 142-159 google scholar
- Nergelius J, Constitutional Law in Sweden (2nd ed. Wolters Kluwer Press 2015) google scholar
- Nergelius J, ‘The Constitution of Sweden and European Influences: The Changing Balance Between Democratic and Judicial Power’ In National Constitutions in European and Global Governance: Democracy, Rights, the Rule of Law, ed. A. Albi and S. Bardutzky (T.M.C. Asser Press 2019) google scholar
- Nyman O, ‘Some Basic Features of Swedish Constitutional Law’ In An Introduction to Swedish Law ed. Stig Strömholm (Springer 1981) google scholar
- Ruotsi M, ‘Defending Democracy: Sweden’s Constitutional Reform Proposals in Response to Democratic Backsliding in Europe’, https://constitutionnet.org, accessed 20 June 2024 google scholar
- Ruotsi M ‘A Doctrinal Approach to Unconstitutional Constitutional Amendments: Judicial Review of Constitutional Amendments in Sweden’ (2024) 20(2) European Constitutional Law Review 247-281 google scholar
- Russell M and Cowley P, ‘The Policy Power of the Westminster Parliament: The ‘Parliamentary State’ and the Empirical Evidence’, (2016) 29(1) Governance: An International Journal of Policy, Administration, and Institutions 121-137 google scholar
- Segall EJ, ‘The Constitution Means What the Supreme Court Says It Means’, (2016) 129(4) Harvard Law Review 176-188 google scholar
- Smith E, ‘Judicial Review of Legislation’ In The Nordic Constitutions: A Comparative and Contextual Study, ed. Henning Krunke and Björg Thorarensen (Hart Publishing 2018) google scholar
- Strauss DA, ‘Does the Constitution Mean What It Says?’, (2015) 129(1) Harvard Law Review 1-61 google scholar
- The Instruments of Government <The Instrument of Government - 50 years | Sveriges riksdag (riksdagen.se) > accessed 10 Juen 2024 google scholar
- The Judicial Council <Application for appointment as a judge - Domarnamnden (domstol.se) > accessed 10 June 2024 google scholar
- The Swedish Parliament celebrated democracy in 2018-2022 < The Swedish Parliament celebrated democracy in 2018-2022 | Sveriges riksdag (riksdagen.se) > accessed 10 June 2024 google scholar
- Tushnet M, ‘Alternative Forms of Judicial Review’ (2003) 101(8) Michigan Law Review 27812802 google scholar
- Tushnet M, Advanced Introduction to Comparative Constitutional Law (2nd edn. Edward Elgar 2018) google scholar
- Valguarnera F, ‘Judicial Policymaking in Sweden: A Comparative Perspective’ (2015) 61 Scandinavian Studies in Law 185-216 google scholar
- Waldron J, ‘The Core of the Case Against Judicial Review’, (2006) 115 Yale Law Journal 13461406 google scholar
- Wenander H, ‘Administrative Constitutional Review in Sweden: Between Subordination and Independence’, (2020) 26 European Public Law 987-1010 google scholar
- Yolcu S, ‘East Nordic Model of Pre-Enactment Constitutional Review: Comparative Evidence from Finland and Sweden’, (2020) 26(2) European Public Law 505-536 google scholar
- Zamboni M, ‘The Positioning of the Supreme Courts in Sweden - A Democratic Oddity?’, (2019) 15(4) European Constitutional Law Review 668-690 google scholar
- Zamboni M, ‘The Role of Constitution in Sweden: Its Normative Patchy Floor and Its (Half-Way) Journey from Political to Legal Constitutionalism’ 4278050.pdf (elsevier-ssrn-document-store-prod.s3.amazonaws.com) accessed 20 June 2024 google scholar
Citations
Copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the options to export in your chosen format
EXPORT
APA
Yıldız, A. (2019). Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism. Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, 0(0), -. https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000
AMA
Yıldız A. Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism. Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul. 2019;0(0):-. https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000
ABNT
Yıldız, A. Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism. Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, [Publisher Location], v. 0, n. 0, p. -, 2019.
Chicago: Author-Date Style
Yıldız, Abdulkadir,. 2019. “Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism.” Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul 0, no. 0: -. https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000
Chicago: Humanities Style
Yıldız, Abdulkadir,. “Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism.” Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul 0, no. 0 (Mar. 2025): -. https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000
Harvard: Australian Style
Yıldız, A 2019, 'Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism', Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, vol. 0, no. 0, pp. -, viewed 10 Mar. 2025, https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000
Harvard: Author-Date Style
Yıldız, A. (2019) ‘Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism’, Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, 0(0), pp. -. https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000 (10 Mar. 2025).
MLA
Yıldız, Abdulkadir,. “Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism.” Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul, vol. 0, no. 0, 2019, pp. -. [Database Container], https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000
Vancouver
Yıldız A. Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism. Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul [Internet]. 10 Mar. 2025 [cited 10 Mar. 2025];0(0):-. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000 doi: 10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000
ISNAD
Yıldız, Abdulkadir. “Dynamics of Swedish Political Constitutionalism: Towards a Transition to Legal Constitutionalism”. Annales de la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul 0/0 (Mar. 2025): -. https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2025.76.0000