WORK TIME REDUCTIONS ON THE DECLINE? How ideas act as hindering mechanisms for social democratic support of work time reductions.

Abstract

The study of ideas as factors affecting political behavior is often accessed by focusing on times of political and economic uncertainty. However, focusing on times of stability and the rigidity that ideas cause in policy processes is less explored. This thesis provides an illustrative example of the latter by approaching the political issue of work time reduction (WTR) in Sweden. Conducting a qualitative idea analysis, the study looks at The Swedish Social Democratic Party’s (SAP) progressively decreasing support of WTR reforms in Sweden between 1963-2023. Empirical data is collected from statements of representative persons and the content of official party documents that are analytically interesting – meaning party programs, election manifestos, and motions. Based on theory, the study breaks down ideological thought content related to worktime by identifying values, descriptions, and prescriptions present in thoughts about the welfare state, time, and gender. When comparing two periods (1963-1993 and 1993-2023), the key findings show that over time, more ideas act as hindering mechanisms for SAP to support WTR reforms, and fewer ideas act in favor of them.