He is happiest when research surprises him

He is Professor of Political Science at Uppsala University, Chair of Forte’s Board until June 2025, and Chair of the governmental committee Delmi – the Delegation for Migration Studies.

Early insight into the daily work of power

He has always known that society can be influenced. As the eldest son of Social Democrat Olof Palme, he grew up in a home where politics was an everyday topic. His father, who was at one point Minister of Education under Prime Minister Tage Erlander, often discussed politics at home.

− As a child, I learned to believe in change. That it is possible to change things in society, and that society can improve through change. My father’s first major investigation, on how everyone could have the chance and advice for higher education, led to what we now know as CSN [the Swedish National Board of Student Aid].

When Joakim was eleven, in 1969, his father became Prime Minister.

− I understood that high-ranking politicians were flesh-and-blood people, very concrete individuals with flaws, merits, and mistakes. The political sphere didn’t feel mysterious, unlike for someone who only sees politicians on TV.

Joakim himself served as a political advisor to Minister for Social Insurance Anna Hedborg (S) from 1994–1996. Beyond that, he has not worked in politics.

− Being a politician is not an easy task, and I have wanted to follow my own path.

Following his own path – from sociology to pensions

His first step toward becoming a researcher was a degree in economic history, but it was his studies in sociology that proved decisive. Thanks to them, he became a research assistant to Walter Korpi, Professor of Social Policy at the interdisciplinary Institute for Social Research at Stockholm University. Joakim was inspired to study more sociology and pursue a PhD in the field. He completed his dissertation in 1990 on the development of pension systems in the Western world.

− It might sound like a snooze, but I found the topic exciting because enormous sums of money flow through pension systems. It was interesting to study something that solved the 19th century’s major social problem: poverty among the elderly.

He was relatively alone in studying pension systems at the time, but in recent decades the topic has consistently remained relevant.

− Both in Sweden and globally, populations are aging, and my research continues to attract interest. I have long studied how different countries’ welfare systems affect living conditions, including poverty, inequality, and health.

Today, he focuses primarily on the connections between social policy and other policy areas, such as migration and climate policy. He has mapped the rights of undocumented immigrants in different EU countries.

− There is significant lack of knowledge about this, even among the immigrants themselves and the people who encounter them in their work.

He also researches carbon taxes.

− We know they work well for the climate, yet they still provoke strong protests. We study how social policy measures can reduce resistance to carbon taxes.

Surprising insights spark debate

Research is most enjoyable for him when it leads to new insights that surprise both the public and his colleagues.

− The redistribution paradox usually surprises people. It shows that for effective poverty reduction, one shouldn’t just act like Robin Hood. Even the well-off should be recipients in the social security system. This creates broad political support for generosity.

Fifteen years ago, Joakim was appointed Professor of Political Science at Uppsala University, though his path to the position was somewhat unusual.

− I didn’t earn a PhD in political science, but I got the position after experts conducted a special review of my competence in the field.

This reflects his career-long movement at the borders of different disciplines, especially sociology, political science, and economics. He notes that the difference between sociology and political science is surprisingly small, though political scientists have a particular passion for democracy.

− There are strong normative foundations in both political science and economics. You can’t joke about democracy with a political scientist, nor about efficiency with an economist. Sociologists aren’t tied to any particular dogma and are more agnostic and free in thought, Joakim laughs.