Sweden’s budgetary response to the Covid-19 pandemic

: A Multi-level governance perspective

Abstract

In the beginning of 2020, the world was struck by the Covid-19 pandemic that inhibited many economies. Sweden was chosen because of its unique case when responding to the Covid-19 spread by applying an open policy in contrast to the implementation of total lockdowns.

The aim of this study is to explore the governmental budgetary responses to the Covid-19 pandemic in Sweden. To fulfil this aim, the study focuses on the multi-level governance relationships between different national and local actors in Sweden. In order to explore Sweden’s unique case, an inductive approach was carried out through netnography, mass-media analysis and document analysis in the period between January 31 and May 15. The theoretical frame of reference is based on multi-level governance and actor network theory.

The study concludes that technology as a non-human actor has played a vital role when enhancing collaborations between different actors such as government, regions, municipalities, companies and universities, in order to minimize the infection spread and economic consequences of Covid-19. The study is a basis for continued research on the unexplored topic of crisis management of Covid-19 in Sweden.