Sweden Should Codify Respect for Its Values in Constitution, Argues Liberal Party Writer

Mauricio Rojas, writing for the Liberal Party, argues for a constitutional amendment to enshrine respect for Swedish values. He contends that Sweden should not be ashamed of its identity and should establish principles that reflect this in its foundational laws. Rojas believes the current framework, established 50 years ago, was based on a naive understanding of multiculturalism.

He points to the 1975 guidelines for immigration and minority policy, which focused on the majority society's flaws rather than the challenges faced by immigrants. Rojas argues that the principle of "freedom of choice" enshrined in the constitution, allowing immigrants to choose their level of cultural assimilation, has led to deep value conflicts. These conflicts arise when collectivist structures, often tied to religion and honor codes, clash with Sweden's modern, individualistic, secular, and egalitarian society.

Rojas cites a 1986 government proposition that acknowledged a lack of discussion regarding the limitations and conditions of "freedom of choice." This proposition noted that the principle had been interpreted as an acceptance of values significantly diverging from Swedish law and policy. Despite this, the principle persisted, with universal values like democracy and equality recognized as the society's foundation, but nothing specifically Swedish was codified as essential.

He suggests that the current constitutional provisions, which mandate promoting the cultural and community life of ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities, need re-evaluation. Rojas implies that the emphasis should shift towards clearly defining and upholding core Swedish values, ensuring they are respected within the framework of a diverse society. The article is an opinion piece published in Dagens Nyheter.