ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an historical overview of the relations between the third sector and state. The elections to the Riksdag in 2006 are a logical cutoff point. Sweden has a universal welfare state and a Social Democratic welfare regime. It therefore adds some unique features to the European social economy, including a large public sector, a strong étatist tradition and a weak but growing role for third sector providers of welfare services. This chapter begins by discussing the concepts of voluntary organizations popular movements and the social economy from a Swedish perspective. Then it sketches several different phases in the relationship between the third sector and state. Finally, it considers some of the major challenges facing the welfare state and its relations with the social economy. On the basis of this certain conclusions are reached about the future of the social economy in Sweden.
