Stämplad som extremist

Civilsamhällesföreträdares berättelser om exkludering från det demokratiska samtalet genom negativ etikettering

Abstract

Representatives of civil society organizations in Sweden describe how negative labelling has decisive consequences for their democratic participation. In survey responses from 156 organizations, respondents report being subjected to labels such as “extremist” and “undemocratic,” which are perceived to undermine legitimacy, lead to self-censorship, and reduce opportunities to participate in public arenas. Grounded in labelling theory, the article examines how negative labels function as normative, disciplinary, and exclusionary mechanisms operating on micro, meso, and macro levels. The material points to an ongoing shift in the boundaries of what is considered democratically acceptable, where organizations previously regarded as central to democratic values are instead being cast under suspicion as threats to those very values. This development risks eroding pluralism, weakening trust between citizens and institutions, and contributing to deteriorating public health, due to reduced participation and increased psychosocial stress.