This article examines the view of the powerful popular movements as the hallmark of Swedish democracy, critically analysing ideas about Swedish popular movements as bearers of both democracy and the national project. The focus of the article is, firstly, how these ideas have been addressed by central figures in the discussion about Swedish popular movements and, secondly, the ways in which these ideas are still being addressed in the ongoing project of including "immigrants" in an imagined "Swedish democratic community." One important issue raised is the discursive construction of the national/democratic Self in relation to Others, "outside" as well as "inside" of the borders of the nation-state--other "peoples" (outside) and "immigrants" (inside). This article starts by examining the idea of popular movements as arenas for "schooling in democracy" that has become so deeply rooted in Sweden. After that the author takes a closer look at the popular movements in present day Sweden, and at how "immigrants" are "schooled into democracy" in various ways in the trade union and adult education movements. Finally, some of the consequences of the democratic schooling within Swedish popular movements in terms of inclusion/exclusion are discussed. A brief outline of the theoretical framework that provides the basis for the subsequent analysis is presented. (Contains 1 note.)