Fråga inte längre vad staten kan göra för idrottsrörelsen, utan vad idrottsrörelsen kan göra för staten - Har New Public Management förändrat statens syn på den ideella idrottsrörelsen?

Sammanfattning: This thesis investigate if the application of New Public Management organization theory in Swedish bureaucracy has influenced the states perception of non-profit organizations. The focus is on the non-profit sports association Riksidrottsförbundet. The method used for the thesis was a qualitative deep read of all official government investigations (spanning from year 1957 to 2008) concerning financial aid to Swedish non-profit sports clubs, which are all distributed through Riksidrottsförbundet. The report “Strategi 2025”, produced by Riksidrottsförbundet was also studied to achieve a deeper understanding of both sides of the relationship. The focus of the thesis is mainly on perceptions held by the state and Riksidrottsförbundet - and if their relationship have developed and shifted over time. The results shows no or little evidence of New Public Management philosophy itself causing a shift in perceptions. However some trends that are in line with New Public Management philosophy can be observed. These are foremost: higher demands by the state for measurability, professionalism and an increased perception on the states part of being a consumer buying a service. A diminishing interest by the state in the intrinsic values of being a non-profit organization can also be observed.