FROM TRADITIONALISM AND MORALITY TO DEFENDERS AND ANTAGONISTS OF GENDER EQUALITY The Framing of Gender over time by the Sweden Democrats

Abstract

This research study explores the framing of gender by Sweden’s right-wing populist party, the Sweden Democrats over time. It uses qualitative text analysis and frame theory with the aim to analyze how the party has constructed diagnostic (problems) and prognostic (solutions) frames in regards to gender in their official party literature over the last 29 years, between 1989 to 2018 – with a focus on how this may have changed over time. I argue that the problems the Swedish Democrats identify and the solutions that they propose have changed significantly over this period. While two decades ago the party stressed a return to traditional gender roles and values, today it makes two kinds of appeals that are in tension with one another. The problems of today emphasize gender equality as being under threat from a religious and cultural “other” and, at the same time, is going too far.