OPINION INFLUENTIALS AND POLITICAL OPINION FORMATION IN FOUR SWEDISH COMMUNITIES
In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 14, Heft 2, S. 320-336
ISSN: 0020-8701
A study of the role of influentials (INF's) in 4 Swedish communities - the industrial communities of Vasteras & Kolsva, the city of Malmo, & the Ru community of Bralanda - to discover to what extent the 2-step hypothesis of COMM is applicable in Sweden, & to examine the soc characteristics of Swedish opinion leaders. The communities, & the nature of the INF's therein, are described & the results of 112 personal interviews with INF's are presented. The general hypothesis is upheld, though 'INF' has been used in this case to designate a group which influence; PO in communities, whereas in many US studies it refers to a group which influences policy decisions. 'One feature which seems to distinguish Swedish communities from US communities is the prominent role played by leaders of the labor org's in the power & influence groups.' This reflects a basic diff between Swedish & US pol'al life. I. Taviss.