The Apolitical University
“You cannot be apolitical in a democracy, because even being pro-democracy is a political stance. We all have different values and perspectives. ”
Flipping through one of the first issues of Minimax ever printed from the 60s, the constant presence of politics is striking. The pages are filled with debate surrounding geopolitical issues in which student unions were expected to take a stand. The union election was likewise inherently political with representatives from political union parties competing for the position of chairman. It depicts a society and university where political discussions were constantly present and actively encouraged.
Design by Anna Gao
As a student at Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) in 2024, it is difficult to relate. The union election has since been depoliticized and the union is today a non-partisan organization that rarely takes a stance on political issues. This could be argued to be part of a larger societal development where the average citizen has less and less contact with political parties. According to Statistics Sweden, the share of the Swedish population that is a member of a political party has decreased steadily since the 80s and active membership has faced an even more rapid decline.
In a column from 2022 in Hufvudstadsbladet, journalist Silvia Mertsola discusses possible reasons for the decline in party membership. She believes that the need of being apolitical to be taken seriously has increased during the last decades in many sectors, particularly within academia. Today, there is a strong expectation for scientists and universities to get respect by maintaining impartiality, often interpreted as being apolitical.
Engaging with SSE alumnas with political experience confirms the claim.
Emma Fastesson Lindgren is a former student at SSE as well as the former chair of the Social Democratic student association in Sweden.
– During my years at SSE between 2014-2017 there was a certain nervousness surrounding politics, she remincises in an email.
That is a shame since universities have an important role to play in the promotion of democracy, claims Lindgren:
– It is no secret that there is a general lack of political representatives in many parts of the country, she says and continues:
– If political parties are given the opportunity to appear at universities, that could promote democracy and encourage students to engage in politics.
The thirteenth paragraph in higher education ordinance (1993:100) states that a university is obligated to allow a democratic association within the university to use the university’s premises. That means that political associations that were formed within a university have a legal right to appear on campus whilst national organizations, such as the Social Democratic student association, do not enjoy the same legal protection. It is instead up to the university to decide. At Lund University, political parties are not allowed to advertise or campaign. This sparked a debate in November 2023 between spokespeople for student associations of political parties and the headmaster of Lund University through a series of opinion pieces in the student newspaper, Lundagård. A similar debate has not yet taken place at SSE but the regulations are similar.
Hanna Flodmark, Director of Communications and Marketing at SSE, explains the rules in an email:
– We welcome structured debates where multiple sides are heard and respected. In connection with such debates, it may be acceptable to distribute leaflets, for example. However, purely political campaigning is not something that should occur on campus.
According to Emma Fastesson Lindgren, vague rules such as these surrounding political parties on campus are a part of the problem.
– It should be clear that party political associations are allowed on campus and this needs to be communicated better and more openly, she says.
Design by Anna Gao
Likewise, some political youth organizations have chosen not to declare any formal party political allegiance such as Fria Moderata studentförbundet which (despite its name) has no explicit relationship with the parliamentary party Moderaterna. According to Emma Fastesson Lindgren, this could constitute a loophole at some universities.
Hanna Flodmark explains that the reasoning behind the rules and describes that they are founded with consideration to a delicate balance:
– The right to free speech is important to promote but it is equally important for SSE to be non-partisan.
Emma Fastesson Lindgren is familiar with the argumentation, but critical.
– You cannot be apolitical in a democracy, because even being pro-democracy is a political stance. We all have different values and perspectives, she says.
In reflecting on SSE’s non-political context, it becomes clear that the balance between political engagement and institutional neutrality is a complex and ongoing conversation. Navigating these challenges, open dialogue and embracing diverse perspectives are essential. At least if SSE wants to play an important role in democratic society.
Sources:
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/vast/chalmers-backar-haver-forbud-mot-politiska-manifesta tioner--01izp1 https://www.svd.se/a/3Ea1JA/chalmers-backar-efter-kritiken-haver-beslutet https://www.dn.se/debatt/oppna-skolorna-for-al- la-riksdagspartier-infor-valet/ https://www.lundagard.se/2023/11/22/slutreplik-renstroms-svar-vittnar-om-att-han-inte-forsta tt-var-problemformulering/ https://www.lundagard.se/2023/11/17/debatt-det-ar-dags-att-oppna-upp-lund-for-politiken/ https:// sfs.se/blogg/foreningars-ratt-att-anvanda-larosatenas-lokaler/ https://s-studenter.se/fel-att-stanga-politiska-studentforening- ar-ute/