Beliefs and Practices of Local Desegregation Policies in Sweden

Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence.

What happens when schools can no longer bind society together?

In an era of growing segregation, this book explores how Swedish schools and municipalities work to counteract inequality and foster civil inclusion. Through detailed case studies of school closures, mergers, and new openings, the authors trace how local actors try to achieve 'civil repair' – to strengthen equality and rebuild cohesion through education.

Drawing on rich ethnographic research, the book reveals the tensions between policy ideals and on-the-ground realities in a marketized school system. These findings speak not only to Sweden but to broader challenges in education systems across Europe and North America.