Editing History of the Riksdag (section)

== The Old Riksdag ==
{{main|Riksdag of the Estates}}

=== Origin ===
The precursor to the modern Riksdag was the [[Riksdag of the Estates]] ({{langx|sv|Ståndsriksdagen}}). Of ancient origin in the Viking [[Thing (assembly)|Things]], the 1435 meeting in the city of [[Arboga]] is considered the first Riksdag, however only three of the estates were probably present the [[Swedish nobility|nobility]], the clergy and the [[Bourgeoisie|burghers]].<ref>[https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Sa-funkar-riksdagen/Demokrati/Riksdagens-historia/ riksdagen.se]</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=12 April 2023 |title=From things and assemblies to the Riksdag of today |url=https://www.riksdagen.se/en/how-the-riksdag-works/the-history-of-the-riksdag/from-things-and-assemblies-to-the-riksdag-of-today/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=www.riksdagen.se |language=en}}</ref> This informal representation was formalized in 1527 by King [[Gustav I of Sweden]] to include representatives of all the four [[Estates of the realm#Sweden and Finland|estates]], which historically reflected the lines of division in Swedish society: the [[nobility]], the clergy, the [[burgher (title)|burghers]] and the [[peasantry]]. This ingathering is considered the first formal parliament in Sweden.<ref name=":1" /> In the 1540s, the word "Riksdag" was first used.<ref name=":1" /> During the reign of Gustav I, the Riksdags were at time convened once every few years and for a short time, leaving them relatively weak and strengthening the power of the monarch.<ref name=":1" />

=== 17th century ===
In the 17th century the Riksdag would approve the raising of troops and the imposition of taxes.<ref name=":1" /> The Riksdag convened more frequently which consolidates and strengthened the political power of the representatives of the estates.<ref name=":1" /> The Riksdag also began submitting petitions. Under the [[Carolingian autocracy]], the Riksdag became a tool of the king who exercised more autocratic power. During the reign of [[Charles XI of Sweden|Karl XI]] the Riksdag convened only two times.<ref name=":1" />

=== Age of freedom ===
After the death of [[Charles XII of Sweden|Karl XII]] in 1718, the Riksdag regained its influence, this was also aided by the fact that the council of the realm (composed of the nobility and kings) was viewed as responsible for the poor economic situation and "devastation" in Sweden.<ref name=":1" /> From 1718 onwards, important decisions were taken by the Riksdag and the body began to convene for lengthy periods of time to discuss matters at hand.<ref name=":1" /> When the Riksdag was not in session, the council of the realm, which functioned as the "government" at the time, controlled Sweden.<ref name=":1" /> When the Riksdag convened it could issue punishments against members of the council if they deviated from the Riksdag's wishes.<ref name=":1" /> The Riksdag's functioning began to resemble that of a parliamentary system. Two political camps began to emerge at this time: the caps and the hats.<ref name=":1" /> in 1766, the Riksdag passed a law to guarantee [[freedom of press]], this abolished censureship and allowed the general public to access information.<ref name=":1" /> During the period known as the "age of freedom", from 1719 to 1772, when a decision was taken, each of the four estate was given one vote, necessitating three estates to support the implementation of a decision.<ref name=":1" /> There were four estates at the time:

* The Burghers, who represented 2% of the population and consisted of merchants and craftsmen who mostly resided in cities.<ref name=":1" />
* The Nobility, consisting of 1200 families in Sweden and 0.5% of the population.<ref name=":1" />
* The Clergy, which was about 1% of the population.<ref name=":1" />
* The Peasantry which was about 95% of the population.<ref name=":1" />
The Burghers had 100 representatives in the Riksdag. The peasantry had 150 representatives through county district courts. 500 nobles sat in Riksdag meetings while the clergy had 50 representatives.<ref name=":1" />

King Gustav III performed a coup d'état in 1772, ending the "age of freedom" and severely weakening the Riksdag while increasing his own power.<ref name=":1" />

=== 1809 Instrument of Government ===
Under the [[Instrument of Government (1809)|Instrument of Government of 1809]] the Riksdag shared the powers of government with the king.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2024 |title=Regeringsformen 50 år |url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/aktuellt/regeringsformen-50-ar/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=www.riksdagen.se |language=sv}}</ref> The instrument remained valid until 1974.<ref name=":1" /> This new instrument took inspiration from the Swedish enlightenment in which division of power was a guiding principle as well as Swedish historical traditions.<ref name=":1" /> In 1809 the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman was created, it is considered the first public complaints office in the world.<ref name=":1" /> A committee of constitution was established which would oversee that the monarch complied to the constitution.<ref name=":1" />