In this study, Knud J.V. Jespersen traces the historical roots of the modern Danish state and Denmark's international position at the beginning of the 21st century. Taking the Reformation as the point at which modern Danish society began to emerge, Jespersen explains how modern Denmark was shaped by 500 years of wars, territorial losses, domestic upheavals, new methods of production and changes in thought. He goes on to explore the development of a specific sense of Danish identity, and discusses whether the Danes can be most aptly described as a tribe or as a nation. Table of Contents Introduction - what is Denmark and who are the Danes?; foreign and security policy - from gatekeeper of the Baltic to a midget state; domestic policy, 1500-1848 - the era of aristocracy and absolutism; domestic policy, 1848-2000 - democracy and the welfare state; the church and culture from Luther to postmodernism; economic conditions - the old Denmark, 1500-1800; economic conditions - the new Denmark, 1800-2000;the Danes - a tribe or a nation? About the Author KNUD J.V. JESPERSEN is Professor of Modern History at the University of Southern Denmark and Royal Historiographer to H.M. the Queen of Denmark. From The Publisher: From the Reformation to present day, this book guides the reader through 500 years of wars, territorial losses, domestic upheavals, and changes in thought in Denmark's history. Looking carefully at the development of Danish identity, the author explores whether Danes can be most aptly described as a tribe or a nation. Using new research and original theories, it's the perfect introduction to the fascinating and relatively unknown history of this Scandinavian country.
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