Working Paper No. 96, Swedish Social Democracy and the ‘Meidner’ Plan

This inquiry seeks to establish that what became known as the “Meidner Plan” should be understood as an attempt to resolve contradictions within Swedish Social Democracy through promoting collective ownership. This thesis is demonstrated through a three-part structure. To elucidate the contradictions that gave rise to this policy proposal, part one situates Swedish Social Democracy within the broader social democratic tradition before analyzing its historical development as an economic model. Part two investigates the development of the Meidner Plan as an effort to address these contradictions, analyzing its theory, design, and transformative implications. Finally, part three examines the opposition that emerged in response to the Meidner Plan, traces its diluted implementation, and briefly considers the contemporary state of Swedish Social Democracy. It shall be argued that Swedish Social Democrats faced a critical juncture prior to the plan’s implementation, marking a shift in economic policy.