Bridging the Digital Disparitiesin Sweden : A Discursive Analysis of Swedish Policy Reports on Digital Inclusion

Abstract: This study investigates the construction of discourse on digital inclusion in Sweden by closely analyzing policy reports from various governmental entities responsible for the digitalization agenda spanning the years 2017 to 2023. The research forms a three-dimensional approach, which focuses on discursive motivations for bridging the digital divide, perceived access prerequisites for achieving this goal, and the primary target group for digital inclusion efforts within the policy discourse. Drawing upon van Dijk's Resources and Appropriation theory, the mezzo-scaleanalysis explores how properties of digital divides related to resource inequalities and adaptation were expressed within the discourse, forming the core framework of this thesis. Fairclough's critical discourse theory (CDA) guides the macro-scale analysis; however, the large-scale view, with a focus on power relations, is not the key framework in this study. Instead, they are drawn upon in the discussion section while evaluating the key findings.The methodology employed combines CDA through close reading with exploratory text mining techniques from the Digital Humanities, revealing three key discursive motivations: 1) social participation, 2) democracy and social equality, and 3) economic prosperity. Material/physical and skills access are identified as primary prerequisites, with a particular focus on people with disabilities. A critical evaluation of these findings provides significant implications for future research on the digital divide, particularly with regards to Swedish policymaking.