Subnational Sweden, the national state and the EU

The article examines to what extent the position of the Swedish state vis-à-vis the European Union (EU) has been mediated by domestic factors, and in particular how this has affected its subnational authorities, since Sweden joined the EU in 1995. It examines whether path-dependency prevented Sweden from converging with other member states. The article then examines the relevance of subnational mobilization for the relationship of the Swedish state to the EU. It provides an overview of bottom-up activism, subnational capacity building and top-down influence of the EU over conditions at the local and regional levels in Sweden. It is argued that the traditionally strong position of subnational authorities in Sweden, its institutional and administrative culture and a favourable economic situation have mediated EU influence over the Swedish state. This has also made it possible for local and regional government to bypass the state in its activities vis-à-vis the EU.