Impeding What It Aims to Improve? : A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Swedish National Strategy for Regional Development

Abstract: In a world of systemic environmental destruction and growing social inequality, it is important to explore how decision-making institutions communicate about development and how they attempt to achieve social and environmental sustainability. The institutions define the problems, suggest the strategies, make the policies and set the targets in order to address the present socio-ecological crisis. Using the following key research question, this study focuses on one of these institutions, the Swedish Government: What ideologies and discourses underpin the Swedish Government’s National Strategy for Sustainable Regional Development Throughout the Country 2021-2030, and how consistent are they to the purpose of the strategy?  In order to answer the question, this research uses critical discourse analysis based on Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional model for empirical research in communication, culture and society. Through a framework of postdevelopment and postcolonial feminist theories, this study questions mainstream discourses that are still today reinforced by decision-makers and practitioners within regional development in Sweden. It further examines a potential discourse paradox in the national strategy: In order to solve social and environmental problems, the document promotes economic and technological solutions that are based on the same logic of infinite growth, unidirectional progress and competitiveness that may have caused the problems.  Through explaining and discussing the discourses within a wider social context, this analysis concludes that the Swedish national strategy for regional development reinforces discourses that are problematizing and may impede the purpose of contributing to social, economic and environmental sustainability throughout the country. The study discusses how this can have negative effects on social and environmental relationships not only in Swedish regions, but also globally, and suggests ways for future regional development to become more contributive to social equality and environmental protection.