Time to Clean Up the System – When Old Structures No Longer Work
In the United States, something as seemingly absurd as DOGE – the Department of Government Efficiency – has stirred strong emotions. An experiment, an initiative, or a provocation? Perhaps all three. But while this system is controversial where it’s being tested, it also raises questions for those of us across the Atlantic. Why couldn't – or rather shouldn't – we start thinking in similar terms here in Sweden? Not to copy, but to confront what we know deep down but seldom dare to address: our societal systems are often sluggish, inefficient, and outdated.
We live in a country where the welfare model has long served as a kind of national identity. And sure, there’s a lot to be proud of. But it’s also painfully clear that many of our public functions no longer keep pace with reality. IT projects that collapse, construction projects that go over time and budget, bureaucratic labyrinths where decisions take years – sometimes without any tangible outcome. This isn’t the exception anymore; it’s the norm.
The Question We Must Ask: Do the Systems Actually Work?
We’re quick to point fingers at individuals when something goes wrong. But the question rarely asked is: does the system in which that person operates work at all? Are our rules, routines, roles, and structures adapted to today’s world – or are they remnants of a past era?
For decades, we’ve patched and patched again. New demands are layered on top of old ones, resulting in complex structures no one truly understands. Here are some of the most telling examples: