Sweden is a constitutional Monarchy, but the monarch only acts as a ceremonial head of state. The cabinet holds office only as long as it retains the support of a majority in the Riksdag. The county councils and the 286 municipalities are obliged to provide services to their inhabitants as stipulated by law, but are independent to decide the means without interference from state authorities.
Municipalities are mainly responsible for education and social service.
A decrease in number of members is expected. Sweden has not been involved in a war since 1814, mainly due to luck and a strong policy of neutrality. Sweden became a member of the United Nations in 1946, the year after the organization was founded. Since that time, active commitment to the United Nations has been a corner-stone of Sweden's foreign policy. More than 70,000 Swedes have served with the UN forces over the years.