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chairman towards the United States, however, makes him vulnerable to further criticism from the dissident element of the party.
c. Program and policies
The Liberals have had difficulty developing a program on which their heterogenous supporters could continue to unite, once the goals of a parliamentary democracy and universal suffrage were attained more than a half century ago. Since World War II the platform in domestic affairs has been designed to attract a broad spectrum of voters and in general does not differ greatly from that of the SAP, except that the Liberals put more stress on restricting intervention by the state in the economy. The party supports a comprehensive system of social and economic security, along with opportunities for education and vocational training; it has generally backed Social Democratic efforts to eliminate gross inequalities in the distribution of income through taxation and social welfare programs. The Liberals have accepted the supplementary retirement pension system as a scheme "that has come to stay," although they oppose the turnover or value added tax (which contributes to the revenue needed for financing the social welfare programs) as unnecessary and call instead for less lavish spending. They also favor profit-sharing in industry, a shorter working period during the year through either longer vacations or more free Saturdays, and the promotion of rural development by official support for light industrial and commercial development in the countryside. Policies regarding foreign and defense matters have reflected differences among the factions. Platforms in recent years have been purposefully broad and vague in stating objectives. On foreign policy the Liberals advocate cooperation with other peoples to promote international order and peace and to increase international trade. Party leaders support the traditional non-alliance and neutrality policy. A small wing, however, consisting mostly of urban and military elements, has long advocated Swedish membership in NATO. The party is divided over the issue of US policy in Southeast Asia, despite the fact that some leaders are strong supporters of US policy in general. The radical left-wing minority, including members of the FPU, has vociferously criticized the United States, and the Liberal Student Association vigorously championed Swedish recognition of North Vietnam. The Vietnam issue appears to have become a distraction which has diverted various elements of the party from focusing on special objectives, such as disestablishment of the church and dissolution of the monarchy.
In military matters the Liberals have consistently favored a strong defense but have supported reductions in the military budget in line with their support for fiscal discipline across the board. Despite fairly general agreement among leaders and many of the rank and file that greater defense efforts were necessary, both the Liberal and Center Parties reluctantly went along with the government's decision in 1967 to maintain defense spending at existing levels in order to permit an expansion of various social welfare programs. Although the decision of the Liberals may have stemmed in part from a desire to placate the party's anti-militarist youth, it more significantly reflected the practical politics that have become a tradition in Sweden.
d. Press and finances
The two leading dailies supporting the Liberal Party, the Stockholm-published Dagens Nyheter and Expressen, are the most widely read of all Swedish newspapers; the Gotesborg-Posten, another Liberal paper, has the fourth largest circulation. In addition, the party published more than 40 other dailies throughout Sweden in 1969. The Liberal press, for the most part, is strong enough financially to be independent politically and put its major emphasis on news.
The party, however, has chronic financial difficulties and has to rely heavily on voluntary contributions; special fundraising drives and lotteries are conducted to meet election campaign expenses. The national convention sets the amount that the electoral district associations must pay each year to the national organizations from membership dues. Similarly, payments must be made to the district association by the local sections.
4. Moderate Coalition Party
a. Membership and electoral strength
The predecessor of the present Moderate Coalition Party was formed in 1935 through the amalgamation of two conservative parliamentary groups, one in each house of the Riksdag. Originally known as the Conservative party, its name was changed to the Hogerpartiet, or Party of the Right, in 1952. Then in 1969, it became the Moderatasamlingspartiet, or Moderate Coalition Party. Prior to 1948 the party ranked second in electoral strength, but during most of the postwar era it trailed the Liberals in terms of popular support. In recent years the Moderates have declined further and are now the smallest of the non-socialist parties in terms of parliamentary representation. Its fairly extensive organization has
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