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

Liinason, Mia LU (2025) In Feminist and Queer Approaches to Arts, Cultures, and Genders
Abstract
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... (More)
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. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
in press
subject
host publication
Transformative feminisms : Nordic Art in the Transcultural Present - Nordic Art in the Transcultural Present
series title
Feminist and Queer Approaches to Arts, Cultures, and Genders
editor
Greaves, Kerry and Thorslev Vilslev, Birgitte
publisher
De Gruyter
ISBN
978–3–11–133216–1
project
Gender struggles in the new conjuncture. Gender, sexuality and the future of human rights in the 21st century
Networked resistance in the new conjuncture
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
cbc995e9-724c-4c02-a531-68329a8b0645
date added to LUP
2025-09-12 11:29:12
date last changed
2025-09-17 12:35:21
@inbook{cbc995e9-724c-4c02-a531-68329a8b0645,
  abstract     = {{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.}},
  author       = {{Liinason, Mia}},
  booktitle    = {{Transformative feminisms : Nordic Art in the Transcultural Present}},
  editor       = {{Greaves, Kerry and Thorslev Vilslev, Birgitte}},
  isbn         = {{978–3–11–133216–1}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  publisher    = {{De Gruyter}},
  series       = {{Feminist and Queer Approaches to Arts, Cultures, and Genders}},
  title        = {{Swedish Exceptionalism in Transition : Theorizing Nation, Race, and Gender in a Changing Welfare Regime}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}