The technological development of the work-based society and increasing economic inequalities are draining the sense of purpose in working – and living – for a growing number of people. It calls for reforms and a new mindset, argues researcher Roland Paulsen.

On Tuesday 24 March, Paulsen from Lund University will attend the second evening event under the Åsadalen umbrella. In his lecture at Åsa, he expands on why we must reassess our view of work and find alternative paths to meaning and inclusion in society.

Ultimately, it is a matter of spiritual survival.

Meaninglessness on the rise
The analysis company Kairos Future recently published a study casting a shadow of meaninglessness over how Swedes perceive our times. The survey showed that an increasing number of people struggle to see any purpose in life.

The responses reveal that the proportion of life pessimists has risen sharply between 2003 and 2023: from six to 24 per cent.

Unsurprisingly, this gloomy news became a talking point. What was not discussed to the same extent, Paulsen noticed, was that the source of meaning that is truly drying up is the value of work itself.

According to Kairos Future, 70 per cent of Swedes in the 1980s found their jobs meaningful. Today, that figure has dropped to 18 per cent.

Criticism of the work-based society
What lies behind this loss of meaning? Why do a third of Swedes feel that their work does not contribute to making the world a better place?

These are the questions that interest Roland Paulsen, an associate professor of sociology, author, public debater and lecturer. His research on our relationship with work has also attracted significant international attention.

Paulsen’s conclusions are critical. The technological development of the work-based society continues to advance. But the meaning of work is in retreat, which, according to Paulsen, is also affected by the fact that those who produce the least often earn the most.

– The problem is that we are not making use of the technological potential to work less. When technology rationalises away human labour, contemporary politics focuses largely on creating new jobs. These are jobs that previous generations never needed. Many of them are meaningless, he says.

Calls for shorter working hours
Conditions in the Swedish labour market are expected to become a key issue in this year’s election campaign. But in 2026, unemployment and job growth may not be the primary focus.

The growing demand for shorter working hours is expected to be even more contentious. The call is coming from both trade unions and left-leaning political parties.

For Paulsen, reduced working hours and a citizen’s income are among the answers to how the trend towards increasingly soulless jobs can be reversed. Unfortunately, he says, there is no sign that the labour market partners will agree to scrap the 40-hour working week. That leaves legislative reform as the only remaining option.

– I don’t actually encounter many economic objections to how significantly less we could work, but more philosophical ideas about work being important for our identities and our health. I explain how work in fact diminishes us as individuals and often poses a threat to our health, says Roland Paulsen.

Politicians in panel discussion
After the lecture, a political discussion on the theme of Work will be held. Paulsen will join the panel together with three local politicians.

• Monica Johansson is a Social Democrat and, during this term, a full-time opposition councillor in Region Sörmland. Her assignments include regional development and growth.
• Thomas Selig is the chair of the Left Party in Katrineholm, a member of the local municipal council and social services committee, and runs a blog.
• Victoria Barrsäter is the Centre Party’s local chair and top candidate for Katrineholm’s municipal council in the election. She works as a business policy expert at Transportföretagen and has a background as an entrepreneur.

The moderator of the discussion is Johanna Iggsten, former journalist and now regional education officer at Länsbildningsförbundet Sörmland.

Text: Henrik Wising
Foto: Johanna Hanno

Roland Paulsen’s lecture starts at 18:00 on March 24. Free admission.