스웨덴 정부의 조정과 자율 거버넌스 탐색: 코로나19 대응 사례

초록

This study explores the governance of autonomy and coordination in the Swedish government, focusing on its operation during the COVID-19 response. The Swedish government is fundamentally characterized by its strict adherence to the constitution, which serves as the foundation for the politics-administration separation and dualism between the Government Office (Regeringskansliet), which consists of the cabinet and central ministries, and public agencies. Decision-making in the cabinet is collective, which prevents ministers from exercising control over their respective departments and affiliated public agencies. Political coordination among policies and public organizations is conducted in a passive manner through informal yet active communication. Furthermore, public agencies and local governments are granted a high degree of autonomy by both the constitution and political norms. These components have contributed to the democratic and efficient government under normal conditions. In line with its established governance framework, Sweden pursued a soft strategy with minimal regulatory interventions during the pandemic; however, this approach resulted in a significant loss of lives. The Swedish COVID-19 response was largely shaped by the constitutional provision that citizens’ fundamental rights cannot be restricted except in times of war or imminent threat of war. Notably, both the parliament and the Government Office excessively relied on the “expertise” of the Public Health Agency, thereby voluntarily diminishing their own leadership. Sweden’s decentralized governance and autonomous administration contrast with those of South Korea, providing diverse implications.

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