Fråga inte längre vad staten kan göra för idrottsrörelsen, utan vad idrottsrörelsen kan göra för staten - Har New Public Management förändrat statens syn på den ideella idrottsrörelsen?

This thesis investigate if the application of New Public Management organization theory in Swedish bureaucracy has influenced the states perception of non-profit organizations. The focus is on the non-profit sports association Riksidrottsförbundet. The method used for the thesis was a qualitative deep read of all official government investigations (spanning from year 1957 to 2008) concerning financial aid to Swedish non-profit sports clubs, which are all distributed through Riksidrottsförbundet. The report “Strategi 2025”, produced by Riksidrottsförbundet was also studied to achieve a deeper understanding of both sides of the relationship. The focus of the thesis is mainly on perceptions held by the state and Riksidrottsförbundet - and if their relationship have developed and shifted over time. The results shows no or little evidence of New Public Management philosophy itself causing a shift in perceptions. However some trends that are in line with New Public Management philosophy can be observed. These are foremost: higher demands by the state for measurability, professionalism and an increased perception on the states part of being a consumer buying a service. A diminishing interest by the state in the intrinsic values of being a non-profit organization can also be observed