Coronavirus E-Mich #8 “Sweden: a deviant strategy, a nationalist public debate?”

CHAIRE HOOVER Louvain-La-Neuve

12 mai 2020

12:45 - 14:00

Mardi intime de la Chaire Hoover par Gina GUSTAVSSON 

What explains the fact that Sweden currently persists with a corona strategy so relaxed that it leaves the rest of the world baffled? How did the country that the far right used to call a 'socialist nightmare' end up on signs of Trump supporters protesting lockdowns, calling on the US to "be like Sweden"? While the Swedish death toll is ticking away, this strategy receives widespread and indeed growing support in Sweden. Is this a sign of the legendary Scandinavian trust and unflappability? Or are we witnessing an uncritical patriotism ready to defend the "Swedish model" at all costs?