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Image Mia Liinason

Mia Liinason

Head of subject | Professor

Image Mia Liinason

Swedish Exceptionalism in Transition : Theorizing Nation, Race, and Gender in a Changing Welfare Regime

Author

  • Mia Liinason

Editor

  • Kerry Greaves
  • Birgitte Thorslev Vilslev

Summary, in English

The shifting dynamics of exceptionalism in Sweden are at the center of this chapter, which examines how race and gender are mobilized to reshape the national identity of Sweden. By a close reading of the party programs and related materials of the right-wing parties currently in government, the chapter highlights how a caring form of racism is enacted to reinforce national core values, and how gender equality, race and ethnicity are appropriated for nationalist and racist purposes. The chapter finds that these enactments imply a significant shift in relation to previous stances on exceptionalism in Sweden and on the image of Sweden as a global forerunner, by a purposeful diminishing of Sweden’s international attractiveness, and by the construction of migrants and feminists as threatening the national values. While recognizing the difficult dynamics characterizing previous exceptionalist positionings in Sweden, the chapter sheds light on the new complexities that arise following these attempts to reshape the nation, its essence and borders. By way of conclusion, cultural policy is illuminated as a key area for the ongoing efforts to further establish and solidify these notions of a homogenous essence of the nation.

Department/s

  • Gender Studies
  • eSSENCE: The e-Science Collaboration
  • LU Profile Area: Human rights

Publishing year

2025-08-25

Language

English

Publication/Series

Feminist and Queer Approaches to Arts, Cultures, and Genders

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

De Gruyter

Topic

  • Gender Studies

Status

Inpress

Project

  • Gender struggles in the new conjuncture. Gender, sexuality and the future of human rights in the 21st century
  • Networked resistances in a new era

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISBN: 978–3–11–133216–1