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The Creation of Modern Denmark: A Figurational Analysis
[journal article]
Abstract This paper takes its point of departure from an observation made by Norbert Elias in his book The Germans. Many (smaller) European states were confronted by Germany in various wars and conflicts and states such as Denmark suffered defeats. Following from this, Elias poses the question as to how the ... view more
This paper takes its point of departure from an observation made by Norbert Elias in his book The Germans. Many (smaller) European states were confronted by Germany in various wars and conflicts and states such as Denmark suffered defeats. Following from this, Elias poses the question as to how the Danish people came to terms with this reality-shock. This paper claims that the unintended consequence of the Danish defeat was the development of a new national habitus with a strong and particular form of nationalism. This nationalism not only tied the nation to the state but went much further by defining the nation as the people and the civil society. It became a deeply sedimented form of nationalism, which provided Denmark with a very strong social cohesion. The central argument concerns this strong Danish habitus linked to this form of nationalism. This paper argues that this habitus has become more problematic during the last 30 years in the era of globalisation. The strong Danish habitus generates resistance towards immigration, acceptance of refugees, the EU, and the internationalisation of education – just to mention some problematic areas. Consequently, Denmark, as a small open economy depending on multilateralism and internationalisation, has difficulties fully embracing globalisation.... view less
Keywords
bilateral relations; Elias, N.; state formation; Denmark; figuration; habits; welfare state; nation state; political economy; criticism of globalization; Prussia; nineteenth century; national identity
Classification
Social History, Historical Social Research
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
Danish habitus; war; the development of the Danish welfare state; “anti-globalisation” sentiments
Document language
English
Publication Year
2020
Page/Pages
p. 182-206
Journal
Historical Social Research, 45 (2020) 1
Issue topic
Emotion, Authority, and National Character
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed