New Public Governance, the Third Sector, and Co-Production

16  Co-Production and Service Quality

A New Perspective forthe Swedish Welfare State

Johan Vamstad

The Swedish welfare state is known for its vast public sector, high taxes and a state that actively intervenes to create economic equality. Sweden's path to become a universal welfare state with a high standard of living during the twentieth century was cleared by a continuously expanding public sector that developed, funded and provided social services for every Swedish citizen regardless of social class. The welfare state was built almost entirely by the public sector, and nonpublic service providers remain rare exceptions in most service areas today. How is the issue of service quality addressed in a system where all aspects of the services are ...