c o n t i n u i t y a n d c o n t r ac t 131 equal franchise, including female suffrage.The conservative first chamber rejected this for a while, but then was gradually put under stronger pressure by the reports from abroad, from the revolutions in Germany and Russia, and also by the fact that the situation in Sweden was very close to a revolution. Eventually, the first chamber accepted legal reforms, which signified the introduction of universal and equal franchise.Thus, during the years 1917-1921 Sweden received first a parliamentary form of government and then representative democracy in a modern sense. However, during the period right up to1933, when the Social Democrats periodically formed governments, the parliamentary situation was very unstable. In the 1920s the Liberals split into two groups, both which were reluctant to establish lasting collaborations with other parties.265 Moreover, in labour law issues, the liberal members of the parliament tended to leave their “wait and see” attitude and associate with the right-wing groups, which since around 1907-08 had supported legislation for the regulation of collective organisations and mandatory arbitration in disputes concerning collective agreements.266 The Liberals’ change of sides during the 1920s meant stronger parliamentary support for legislation with reference to the economic aspect of the worker issue.This third aspect concerned the workers’ claims to influence the terms of their relationships with employers, primarily the protection of employment but also what tasks the worker should perform as well as whenandwhere he or she should fulfil them. It was an open situation. How should the modern contract of employment be regulated regarding substantial content as well as the form of lawmaking? During most of the 19th century, the issue how to legally treat “free” contracts of service had been barely more than an academic problem. In the beginning of the 20th century it appeared as a political problem of the highest 265 Carlsson, S 1953; Lewin 1967, ch. 1; Lewin-Jansson-Sörbom1972; Nygren 1981, pp. 198-199; Lewin 1985, pp. 159-179. 266 Westerståhl 1945, pp. 358, 381. See also Tingsten 1941, pp. 311 ff.
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