In this essay, I will compare the development as sovereign and democratic states of two of the Nordic countries, Norway and Sweden. But why exactly these neighboring states which seem to be so similar in most respects? The answer is based on different types of nation building that distinguishes two main ways of that process in Norden: One happened in Denmark and Sweden where the state evolved first and then afterwards the nation in it. The other way is just opposite with having the nation exist at first and shaping the state around it – this was the case in Norway, Finland, and Iceland. In order to get a better understanding of the nation building processes, I chose Norway and Sweden, so as to have one representing country for each type of nation building. The beginning of the discussion shall be a historical overview on Sweden and will then continue with Norway, whose history took place quite differently. I will continue with a discussion about the nation building process and finally analyze today’s situation concerning the current state of development, especially the sovereignty of the countries – are they really as sovereign as they seem to outsiders? The essay will finish with a summarizing conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Definitions
- Historical and political outline of Sweden
- Historical and political outline of Norway
- Nation building process
- Democracy and sovereignty
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this essay is to compare the development of Norway and Sweden as sovereign and democratic states. The essay examines the distinct nation-building processes in these two countries and analyzes their evolution from pre-modern states to contemporary liberal democracies.
- Nation-building processes in Norway and Sweden
- Comparison of historical development, particularly in relation to state formation and national identity
- Analysis of the achievement of democratic institutions, including universal suffrage, representation, and parliamentary systems
- Evaluation of the concept of sovereignty in the context of the Nordic model
- Exploration of the impact of social democratic movements on the political landscapes of Norway and Sweden
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins with a brief introduction that outlines the scope and purpose of the comparison between Norway and Sweden. It then defines key terms such as nation, state, and democracy, providing context for the subsequent analysis. The next two sections provide historical and political outlines of Sweden and Norway, respectively, tracing their development from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The essay then explores the nation-building process in both countries, highlighting the distinct paths they followed, focusing on the role of culture, language, and national identity in shaping their respective trajectories. Finally, the essay delves into the concept of democracy and sovereignty in the context of Norway and Sweden, examining their current state of development as liberal democracies and discussing the extent to which they have achieved true sovereignty in the modern world.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key themes and concepts explored in this essay include nation-building, state formation, national identity, democracy, sovereignty, liberal democracy, social democracy, Nordic model, Sweden, Norway, historical development, political institutions, and the influence of imperial powers on Nordic societies. The essay also delves into specific historical events such as the Napoleonic Wars and the Great Nordic War, as well as prominent political figures such as Stein Rokkan, whose work significantly influenced the understanding of nation-building in the Nordic context.
- Quote paper
- Corinna Mailänder (Author), 2008, The development of sovereign and democratic states. Norway and Sweden, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/277950
