Most of us working in arts in Sweden seem to agree that the social democrat Bengt Göransson was the last Minister of Culture of any real worth in Sweden. That was in the eighties. This is a slim, personal book about politics, from an old-timer with no connections to party politics any more. It’s a sharp, refreshing read, reminding me that another world is not only possible, but was actually happening not that long ago. Don’t get me wrong, this is by no means a nostalgic book about a lost welfare state. Göransson is firmly rooted in the present. But hisa views on what society and politics should be, are very far from where we are at the moment.

Among the many things he rather razor sharply talks about in this thin volume is the distinction between ”citizen” and ”tax-payer” – and why the shift towards the latter is a threat to democracy. He points out the dangers of using art as an instrument. He discusses the difference between choice and freedom, and he talks about the borders of politics. This book is full of thoughts that make perfect sense, even if you’ve never seen them formulated quite so exactly before. I can see me quoting it in a million situations. And it fills me with hope. Humanity isn’t at an end station. What constitutes society is still possible to change. ( )