Swedish Public Perception of China: How the Ideological Divide Matters Based on Individuals’ Interest in Politics

Sweden despite its historical ties and economic dependence on China holds the second most negativepublic opinion of China globally. This study evaluates the ideological patterns shaping public opinion,focusing on differences between politically interested and uninterested individuals, and shows that aslong as Sweden maintains a politically engaged majority, ideological differences are unlikely to disruptthe government’s broadly negative stance on China. Using survey data from the SOM Institute andemploying an Ordinary Least Squares regression, the study reveals that politically engaged individualsexpress more consistent views across ideologies. At the same time, those uninterested in politics relymore on ideological assumptions, leading to sharper polarization. Together with theoretical frameworkson ideology and citizens as stakeholders of democracies, these findings underscore the role of politicalengagement in reducing polarization in foreign politics, providing a base of how public opinion isformed. This study contributes to understanding how the interplay between public opinion, ideology,and political engagement shapes democratic states’ relationships with authoritarian regimes like China,basing it on citizen's roles as stakeholders. The results offer insights for the balance democracies musthave between economic strategy and ethical aspirations in a rapidly shifting global order, whereauthoritarian regimes gain more influence.