(Social) Democracy in the Blood? Civic and Ethnic Idioms of Nation and the Consolidation of Swedish Social Democratic Power, 1928–1932

Abstract

This paper attempts to explain Swedish Social Democrats' consolidation of power between 1928 and 1932 through an examination of idioms of nation. Qualitative analysis of articles and editorials from a Social Democratic and a liberal newspaper is carried out. The analysis focuses on how civic, ethnic and, a mixed civic-ethnic idiom of nation were deployed in order to expand the Social Democrats' electoral base. The Social Democrats could combine egalitarianism/democracy with ethnic nationalism because ethnic bases for the nation were more inclusive than other, especially class, bases available to them. Two challenges for the literature on nationalism and the welfare state are raised: (1) the civic-ethnic distinction must be rethought to accommodate the Swedish case, wherein ethnic nationalism was used for "civic" ends; and (2) the focus on the Social Democrats as promoting working class interests may be misplaced given the party's mobilization on the basis of nation.

Political participation and dual identification among migrants

“…While the country has developed a robust 'civic' institutional framework to include non-nationals (e.g. liberal naturalisation procedures, extensive voting rights), its national identification also carries 'ethnic' elements (Schall 2012). Its conception of national belonging emphasises ethnic homogeneity that makes it easy to call for ethnic solidarity and separation from out-groups.…”

Multicultural iteration:SwedishNationalDay as multiculturalism‐in‐practice

“…Yet Swedish national identity, like all national identities, is contradictory and amorphous. It has, for instance, long contained both civic elements emphasizing democracy and ethnic elements emphasizing homogeneity (Schall ).…”

“…Indeed, the possibility is raised of a national day that is not too nationalist but is ‘a manifestation of today's Sweden and today's Swedes, where we all can be proud without ending up with chauvinism or exaggerated nationalism’ (Götblad, 06/05/2007; also Öhrström, DN 06/09/2007). That Swedes connect nationalism to a set of values (especially welfare statist values) is indicative of the civic nationalism that has long been a characteristic of the Swedish national image (Schall ). Civic nationalism has become the acceptable version of nationalism in Sweden.…”

Nordic vagabonds: The Roma and the logic of benevolent violence in the Swedish welfare state

“…In Sweden, it is important to realize this is not only a conflict over resources but a conflict over how social membership is linked to those resources. Historically, the Swedish welfare state, referred to as Folkhemmet (‘The People’s Home’ in English), developed two axes of membership that were based on two meanings of the folk : demos and ethnos (Schall, 2012; Trägårdh, 2000). The dominant axis is one based on equality, in which the people (demos) are all free and equal and equally worthy of security ( trygghet in Swedish) and equally expected to contribute to society.…”