Geographical Tensions Within Municipalities? Evidence from Swedish Local Governments(& star;)

When Sweden transformed its geography of local government in 1952 and 1962-1974, the number of municipalities was reduced from 2,498 to 278. The reforms were infused by the central place theory, which aimed to identify a larger town as the local capital (centralort) for each municipality. The centralort became the municipalities' political and administrative center, responsible for providing public services to surrounding settlements. Taking our point of departure in this historical legacy, as well as the literature on geographies of discontent, we ask whether there are geographical tensions within today's Swedish municipalities. Are there differences in satisfaction, trust, and views on the future of one's place of residence when comparing the centralort with its surrounding settlements? Using two datasets-Statistics Sweden's citizen survey carried out in 241 municipalities and Trustbarometer in 49 municipalities-we find that citizens in the centralort are more satisfied with democracy than those in peripheries, where individuals residing in the municipalities' most rural parts are the most dissatisfied. Moreover, different issues are perceived as more pressing and salient in the centralort compared to surrounding settlements.

Automated summary

When Sweden reformed its local government system in the 1950s and 1960s-1970s, the number of municipalities was significantly reduced. The central place theory was used to designate a larger town as the local capital for each municipality, which became the focal point for political and administrative activities. This study examines if there are geographical tensions within Swedish municipalities today, specifically focusing on differences in satisfaction, trust, and perspectives on the future between the central town and its surrounding settlements.