Home of the sexual liberation movement, Ikea furniture and catchy ABBA songs, Sweden has ranked third on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, just below neighbours Norway and Iceland. When we compare Mauritius to the top dogs, one element stands out – political participation. Scandinavians are less likely than Mauritians to dismiss politics as a corrupt game for money-minded power seekers. How did Sweden get it right? Can Mauritius seek inspiration in the Swedish approach?

Sweden is far from a perfect teacher. Judging from how fast the support for its xenophobic right-wing party is growing, Sweden could use a lesson from Mauritius in mutual respect and diversity management. But, when it comes to certain other building bricks of a healthy democracy, like transparency and egalitarianism, Sweden does have a story to tell.

There is a reason why the Prime Minister of Sweden at times has to spend hours explaining to his foreign counterparts how the Swedish press got hold of information that politicians would have preferred remained a secret. It becomes a struggle to keep uncomfortable information from the electorate if your Constitution is based on what Swedes call the principle of public access. It basically means that everybody in Sweden – not just journalists – have the right to have a look at documents from government agencies. The authorities cannot ask for an ID, or for your reasons for wanting to see a document. All decisions by government agencies, as well as emails and letters to and from civil servants to ministers, are public. That is the reason why, in Sweden, you’ll see journalists and curious citizens stroll over to the information desks in government agencies in the morning saying: “Show me your emails.”

In addition to transparency, a possible reason why Swedes are less likely to turn their backs on active political participation is that they are less likely to feel powerless in the first place. They are less likely to argue that their votes don’t matter, that hard work doesn’t pay off in their country, or that they have no realistic hopes for a better future unless they emigrate. Since university courses are free – students are even given an allocation that partly covers their costs of living – Swedes grow up knowing that their chances of achieving their goals largely depend on themselves, not their family background. Parents don’t have to give up their financial freedom, or choose between family and career, courtesy of generous parental leave benefits.

The ultimate proof of Sweden’s egalitarian way of life is what Swedes refer to as the You-reform. Sweden has become a title-less society – a country where everyone is on a first-name basis with everyone, including elected politicians. Swedes would never call their Prime Minister the Right Honourable Prime Minister Stefan Löfven – they call him Stefan. It reflects a difference in mindsets, the fact that Swedes do not have to verbally bow to anyone. If we want a democracy that people participate in actively, it is important to remember what our true roles are. Ministers are employees who work for a pay cheque. In a democracy, no one is more honourable than anyone else.