Stat eller kommun? En analys av ansvarsfördelningen i frågan om barnfattigdom

Sammanfattning: Child poverty is a growning issue in the Swedish society today. Research in the area demonstrates differences in support and intervention work around Sweden, which appose the principle of equality that underpin Swedish welfare policy. Combating child poverty is a shared concern between different political actors. It does not in itself constitute a specific policyarea. But it is linked to activities at both municipal and government level, such as labor and school, and thus affected by decisions in policy areas concerning these activities. The complexity of the Swedish management organization, as a result of the decentralization process may prove the possibility of actually locating the person responsible, to be a difficult task. This paper is a case study in which the problems of combating child poverty is a case of responsibility between central and local government and it highlights the problem with accountability. Purpose of this study is to further elucidate the problems that arise with a division of responsibilities, and what it means for the handling of child poverty.