The Gender-Sex Dimension in Swedish Politics

Abstract

A material analysis of Swedish politics based upon a three-dimensional model of political cleavages is proposed. It is argued that different positions in the societal division of labor generate different (and often opposing) political interests. The model includes the left-right dimension, the urban-rural dimension and the gender-sex dimension representing the opposition expressed in the political arena between men and the interests of production and women and the interests of re-production. The article focuses upon the gender-sex dimension - the issues included within it and the modes and strategies of political behavior which characterize it. It is concluded that the gender-sex dimension's 'politics of re-production' receives its political expression primarily through ad-hoc political activity.