ABSTRACT
A common element in all definitions of the Swedish model is the ability of opposing political actors to meet and discuss their differences. Foreigners fascinated by the Swedish model made study trips to Sweden to discover its secrets. Dialogue between opposing political actors became a Swedish institutional tradition in the period of the strong society and was further developed in the present one. A general reason for the success of Swedish social democracy for so many years was its ability to share policymaking power with other political actors. The basis of Swedish cross-class cooperation is a political opportunity structure that gives collective action organizations a share of political power. The composition of commissions ensured that policy proposals were well-anchored in Swedish civil society. The Swedish selectively open political opportunity structure has even included collective action organizations in policy implementation. This development is explained by the general character of many Swedish laws.
