Motståndgenom

Motståndgenom is a neologism in Swedish used to describe a form of political or social resistance in which opposition is manifested not by overt confrontation but by actions that permeate the functioning of power structures. It emphasizes operating through processes, systems, or institutions to exert pressure rather than engaging in direct clashes.

The term is a compound of motstånd (resistance) and genom (through, via). It is typically used metaphorically to denote resistance that operates by passing through processes, systems, or institutions rather than by direct attack. It appears in Swedish-language scholarship and public debates since the early 2010s, though it is not widely standardized and remains a subject of academic discussion rather than a fixed doctrine.

Principles of motståndgenom include nonviolent, noncooperative strategies such as administrative slowdowns, selective participation, refusal to comply with marginal obligations, and information campaigns designed to expose authorities’ vulnerabilities. The aim is to disrupt normal operations enough to signal legitimacy concerns without escalating violence, thereby forcing negotiation or reform.

In theoretical discussions, motståndgenom is often framed as a form of resistance that leverages the everyday functioning of institutions as its field of friction. Critics warn that it can be ambiguous in intent, hard to coordinate, and risk harming bystanders or eroding public trust if not carefully directed.

See also: civil disobedience, nonviolent resistance, social movements, political strategy.