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2021 it is 100 years since universal suffrage and equal rights to vote were introduced. This is a jubilee worth celebrating – and one that should give pause for thought. We are contributing by illuminating some of our work associated with democracy.

Researchers at LiU have used a new method to calculate how long it can take to form a government after a general election. They have also used the method to predict which political coalition is the most probable outcome.

The Folk High School Teacher Programme at Linköping University has turned fifty. But its aim of strengthening and developing democracy is just as relevant as when it started – if not more.

During the pandemic, we have seen how municipalities have held council meetings in sports arenas or outdoors. They have reduced the number of participants through voter offsetting and have transitioned to digital meetings at a record pace.

Voting rights and voter turnout are core concepts in democracies. Consequently, how many and which people vote are important indicators of how a democracy performs. Sweden has a high voter turnout but there are differences between groups.

Democracy is a fortunate exception. Rule by the people is threatened by power-hungry strongmen, by conflicts between parties and groups, and by a reluctance to take responsibility. But help can come from unexpected places.

How does literature affect us? And most importantly: if a society lacks literature, what happens? These are questions that occupy Elnaz Baghlanian, previously Alumna of the Year at Linköping University and now operational manager at Writers’ Centre.

When women gained the right to vote, it was not the dawn of universal suffrage in Sweden. The poor and criminals were excluded from the voting system, and even today certain groups remain so.

Every period faces challenges to democracy that must be faced. Threats and internet hate, for example, are serious problems for democracy in municipalities. Even so, local politics functions well, all things considered.

The elections for the Church of Sweden will be held on 19 September. This year the focus is on how political the church should be, but the agenda also includes issues such as the environment, economy and education.