Sambandet mellan lågt samhällsengagemang och ett försvagande av den svenska demokratin.

Sammanfattning: This study focuses on the phenomenon regarding declining levels of participation in the democratic system and the alienation of policy from the voters. Theories about participation in the democratic process and the presence of party-cartels provide scientific background for studying the possible connection between participation and a drop in overall democracy. The study looks at levels of participation in the democratic process in terms of non-profit organizations, political parties and general interest in politics alongside the respondents perception of how well the democracy is functioning and prospering. To produce this study the cumulative data set from the SOM-institute in Gothenburg, Sweden has been used. It is an annual survey that has been produced since 1986 and enables the study to look at long-term developments and the possible effects of these. The study shows that there is a small but statistically significant correlation between some level of participation in the democratic process and how that same person is perceiving the functionality and prosperity of the democracy. This is mainly occurring with respondents who are members of nonprofit sport associations and members of political parties. However, these results are thin and the field requires further studies in order to provide a comprehensive and exhaustive picture of the matter at hand. Especially interesting for further studies is the research into where people are showing their dissatisfaction with government (since they are not participating in the democratic process at the same levels as before) and how this effects the alienation of policy even further.