Good intentions in the government's new digitalization strategy

It has finally arrived: Peter Eriksson's and the government's digitalization strategy "For a sustainable digitalized Sweden". And we note that it is very positive that the government is establishing what in our opinion is the only conceivable; a continued ambition for Sweden to be the best in the world at taking advantage of the opportunities of digitization. Anything else would be to abdicate from the future. The fact that this goal has been broken down into five more monitorable sub-areas is also good, as the sub-goals, on an overall level, ring in well with the areas that are absolutely central to successfully increasing the pace of Sweden's digitization.

It is also positive that the government states in its new strategy that Sweden needs clearer government leadership and a higher pace of change, but here we also find cause for concern. Will the proposed structure have the power, mandate and muscle to bring about real change? For example, unifying local self-government in a single direction requires strength. Is there anyone who has that strength and mandate to decide?

The Digitalization Council appointed by Eriksson is to contribute to coordination and implementation "to the extent that such matters do not belong to any other ministry than the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation", which is a small but significant disclaimer when it comes to the possibility of successfully pushing through policies that span all policy areas and ministries. Perhaps there is a broader idea behind the scenes here, but the lack of a clearly identified mandate over the issues in the strategy does not augur well for change.

The second area of concern is how to seize the opportunity at hand. Digitalization and transformation rely on innovation. Key legal areas for this are privacy, intellectual property and security. These areas are not just problems, but also opportunities. Done right, the right policies can strengthen our ability to innovate and sharpen Sweden's competitiveness. And thus, by extension, move Sweden forward.

In other words, these three areas of law are very much a matter of industrial policy. This must be made clear. However, we do not see this in the strategy. Unless the issues are moved to other departments, other solutions should be considered; why not a digital chief economist at the Ministry of Justice?

Despite a good and forward-looking approach and ambition, the visionary tone of the strategy raises questions: where are the concrete proposals, who decides, where are the measurable and monitorable targets and where are the resources? And if they are forthcoming - when?