The people and the state: Nordic paths in state formation, 1500–1800

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Abstract

Conclusion to a volume on state formation from below in Nordic countries, 1500-1800:
The relation between the state and the people is an equally precarious relationship. ‘Successful state formation,’ in which the central administration listens to its people, takes care of their needs, while at the same time manages to keep foreign competitors at bay, is a truly rare phenomenon in history. Scholars formulated generalities, such as countries with a rather high degree of commercialisation and urbanisation were more often characterised by a larger proportion of state formation from below. People made themselves heard in the ‘public sphere,’ the physical spaces, and media that permitted the debate and identification of political and societal problems by different groups in society. As the editors noted in the introduction, the transformation of this sphere was crucial for the interaction between state and people. Local priests acted as crucial intermediaries between the state and the people.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBringing the people back in
Subtitle of host publicationState building from below in the Nordic countries ca. 1500-1800
EditorsKnut Dorum, Mats Hallenberg, Kimmo Katajala
Place of PublicationLondon and New York
PublisherRoutledge, London
Chapter19
Pages329-336
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781003138662, 9781000351538, 9781000351590, 9781000351569
ISBN (Print)9780367686963
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Publication series

NameRoutledge Research in Early Modern History
PublisherRoutledge

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