Table of Contents

Preface.- List of Abbreviations.- Chapter 1: Introduction – Nationalizing the North.- Chapter Two: Denmark – From multi-ethnic and supranational empire to Little Denmark.- Chapter Three: Finland – Nation building while manoeuvring through big powers conflicts.- Chapter four: Iceland – Post-colonial sovereignty project still on-going.- Chapter five: Norway – From the poor periphery to top of the world.- Chapter six: Sweden – Far right sentiments simmering underneath the model democratic welfare society.- Chapter 7: Conclusions – Dual Nordic Nationalism.- Notes.- References.- Index.

Promotional Information

"Bergmann provides a timely survey and analysis of Populist Nationalism, which is finding substantial electoral support across the Nordic countries. His fine-grained analysis succeeds in providing nuance and clarity to the origins and significant variation in this phenomenon across time and space in the Nordics. Bergmann's excellent comparative work on the topic will help scholars to make sense of the particularities and similarities both amongst the Nordic countries as well as relating these experiences in a meaningful manner to experiences elsewhere in Europe." (Dr. Claes Belfrage, University of Liverpool, UK) "An excellent and timely contribution to the puzzle that is populist right wing nationalism in the Nordics. Bergmann traces the nationalist history of the five Nordic countries concentrating on the ongoing under currents of Nordic nationalism. In doing so he uncovers the dichotomy behind the paradox of why some voters in some of the world's richest, most successful, most peaceful countries nonetheless are attracted by nationalist, populist rhetoric." (Jane Suiter, Dublin City University, Ireland)"/p> "A thought-provoking and extremely timely volume that convincingly traces the roots of present-day nationalism and right wing populism in the Nordic countries." (Lise Rye, Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU, Norway) "In this excellent account Bergmann intertwines two main strategies that make it essential for anyone willing to understand contemporary populist political movements in the Nordic states: first it grounds the analysis on a diachronic presentation of how nationalism unfolded in each of the states; second, it provides the reader with a thorough presentation of present days' populist movements in each of the countries, thus enabling a final comparative perspective. Furthermore, the clear-cut style makes the reading not only valuable but also very enjoyable." (Claudia Toriz Ramos, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal) "Bergmann's book provides a most valuable contribution by connecting the nationalism and populist politics in five intimately related case studies of the Nordic countries. Surely a must 'go to' volume for overview." (Ulrik Pram Gad, Aalborg University, Denmark)

About the Author

Eirikur Bergmann is Professor of Politics at Bifrost University, Iceland, and Visiting Professor at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. He is also Director of the Centre for European Studies in Iceland. Professor Bergmann is the author of many books. He writes mainly on Nationalism, Populism, European Integration, Icelandic Politics and on Participatory Democracy. Bergmann was a member of Iceland’s Constitutional Council in 2011.       

Reviews

“It is … highly recommended to anyone studying populist parties or looking for an accessible introduction to the political history of the Nordic countries.” (Agnes Batory, Democratization, Vol. 26 (6), 2019)