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During the crown crisis, writes Drude Dahlerup, professor emeritus of political science at Stockholm University and now active at Roskilde University.
Many journalists thesis on the differences in mentality between Danes and Swedes. I myself doubt that such differences exist, writes Drude Dahlerup.
This is a discussion post. Writers are responsible for opinions.
Why are restaurants and cafes closed during the crown crisis in Denmark but not in Sweden? Why is it that Public Health Authority officials are constantly on television with recommendations in Sweden, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) has become a kind of country mother telling the Danish people what can and should not do? According to opinion polls, he enjoys great confidence, while Stefan Löfven (S) is somewhat in the shadow of state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell.
The main thing Puzzling people interested in how Sweden and Denmark handle the crown crisis is Sweden’s commitment to volunteering, while the Danish strategy is full of mandates and regulations. “You cannot legislate on everything,” says Stefan Löfven and calls for the “popular vote.”
The differences that have emerged challenge the traditional view and prejudices of the neighboring country.
“In Sweden, everything that is not prohibited is mandatory.” Danish politicians joke, believing that Swedes always do what the authorities and the government say.
“The Danes are the libertarians of the Nordic countries, a town where everyone does what they want,” says Sweden.
During the crown crisis It has suddenly become reverse roles. The Danish government has closed kindergartens and all schools. Restaurants, cafes, barber shops and gyms are recovering and my Danish grandchildren are sad because they are not allowed to go to their soccer training.
The Danish media publish images of Swedes enjoying al fresco dining or strolling close to each other under cherry blossoms. Johan Carlson, Director General of the Public Health Authority, talks about the need for exercise for children.
Public officials in Denmark have had to work from home since March 11 (while caring for their young children and organizing homeschooling for older children). The Danish government has closed the borders to Germany and Sweden for everyone except business travelers.
Anders Tegnell called the closure of the border “completely meaningless”. And Søren Brostrøm, head of the National Board of Health, the Danish counterpart to the Public Health Agency, was forced to admit that the border closure was decided for political reasons and not for medical reasons.
After almost 20 years as a professor of political science at Stockholm University, I now live in Copenhagen. I follow Swedish and Danish politics and have carried out several comparative scientific studies of the different ways of arguing in the two neighboring countries regarding gender equality and immigration policy.
Since the crown crisis erupted, Danish, Swedish and international journalists have asked me why these differences between countries are due. Many journalists thesis on the differences in mentality between Danes and Swedes. I myself doubt that such differences exist.
I think The difference between Danish and Swedish administrative culture is crucial. The old Swedish ministerial government ban gives authorities great power.
At daily press meetings in Sweden, the Public Health Agency, the National Board of Health and the Swedish Agency for Social Protection and Emergency Preparedness announce their recommendations.
In Denmark, decisions are usually made by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Health Minister Magnus Heunicke, always in the presence of the head of the National Board of Health and the National Police.
The fact that experts in Sweden and Denmark carry out different medical evaluations may play a certain role for differences in corona strategy.
“Decisions must be based on medical evidence,” reiterates Anders Tegnell. But it is the job of politicians to weigh the economic consequences of a society shutdown as well.
Perhaps the strategies in Sweden and Denmark are slowly approaching. The Swedish government passed a new law that temporarily allows it to make quick decisions about closing shopping centers, ports, restaurants and some traffic if a serious contagion is detected.
Mette Frederiksen has announced that Denmark is now beginning a slow and gradual opening of society. The first action will be to open preschools, entertainment and schools from grades 0 to 5. Perhaps there have been Swedish experiences of keeping schools open?
There are Danish parents who think it is too early to let young children go back to school and plan to keep their children at home. In Denmark there is a duty to teach.
There are Swedish parents who keep their children at home even though they are not sick and authorities say they should go to school. In Sweden, compulsory schooling prevails.
But Danes and Swedes have always had a greater consensus than the politicians who rule both countries.
Drude Dahlerup She is an emeritus professor of political science at Stockholm University and currently active at Roskilde University.
