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Through a close examination of the incidence of the differing views on Democratic Tolerance expressed in Swedish official documents during the time period of 2015-2020 staring Sweden’s trade-offs regarding countermeasures against malign information influence, including disinformation and propaganda, this study claims Sweden’s position on Democratic Tolerance to be dominated by a tolerant view of democracy. Furthermore, this study suggests that this position on Democratic Tolerance, taken by the Swedish government, could be limiting in aspects of countermeasures. This view considers democracy best protected by addressing and challenging the influence of malign information through the means composed by freedom of expression and information, restrictions on these absolute and inviolable values are considered illegitimate. The protection of the fundamental values of democracy is highly prioritized in the balancing between exercising restrictions on these values, or using them as a tool, in the strategy for countermeasures in the response to malign information influence. Democratic Tolerance is considered fundamental for a democracy to fulfill its ultimate purpose. The results of this study’s analysis and subsequent discussion should be considered both complementary to the conclusions of previous researchers, such as Tenove (2020) who illuminates the concept of normative assumptions as central to the process decisionmakers undergo, and Bleich (2011) who emphasizes the importance of Democratic Tolerance in the understanding of legitimate course of action in these complex issues; and a contribution to the research field of Democratic Tolerance as well as the field of how democracies respond to malign information influence. 

Key words: Democratic tolerance; Sweden; malign information influence; disinformation; propaganda; democracy.