The Origins of the Swedish Wage Bargaining Model

Abstract This paper revisits the development of canonical Swedish wage bargaining model, from 1930s to 1950s. The question at core debate is: how did Sweden achieve “good” institutions -- good, in sense facilitating investment, employment, and controlled inflation? conventional account focuses on actions employers trade unions export industry, a cross-class alliance between two. questions this account. builds archival sources Labour Movement's Archives Library Stockholm: minutes main union confederation's yearly policy discussions, preparation for rounds. In total, some 1,500 pages discussion. I find that sector played very small role, macro-corporatist concerns, labour movement had take responsibility all society pursue planned policy, was much more important. has theoretical implications analysis general model particular.