In 1992 he became the chairman of the organization, beating the incumbent Ulf Kristersson – who represented a more liberal faction – in what has been called the Battle of Lycksele.

The story is told from the perspective of a "fool" who finds out his son has died from an illness called "the welfare death" (välfärdsdöden).

The son was 28 years old and a "sleepy brain", who had no motivation or purpose in life and just watched TV all day, with a remote glued to his hand.

She is motivated, plans for the future, talks to older generations, supports Djurgården IF[a] and thinks about international events.

In Chapter four ("Responsibility, morality and own norms"), Reinfeldt reflects on the Ten Commandments and their relevancy in the modern world.

[7][12] After Reinfeldt became the leader of the Moderate Party in 2003, and Prime Minister in 2006, the book was often referred to by his political opponents.

[11] In 2013, when Reinfeldt was still Prime Minister, a theater group adapted The Sleeping People to the stage, which renewed discussion of the book.