Från Friedman till Schlingmann: Jobbskatteavdraget som diskurs, ideologi och strategi

Sammanfattning: This bachelor’s thesis attempts to explain the policy process of the tax deduction (jobbskatteavdraget) carried out by the Moderate party in 2007 and thereafter repeated in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2014. This is done through analyzing three factors, the discourse, ideology and strategy. The thesis attempts to combine agency and structurally based explanations for the tax deduction. Beginning in the paradigm change during 1970s and 1980s when the Keynesian economic theory was replaced by the neoclassical theory and attained a hegemonic status in the field of economics. Thereafter the ideological change within the Moderate party is covered. As a result of before mentioned paradigm change the Moderate party lost some of its conservative values in favor of more market liberal values. Lastly the Moderate party strategy following the election in 2002 is analyzed. This is understood from the view of the potential loser where the political agents attempt to adjust their ideological preferences to maximize voters and parliamentary influence.