Danish nationalism
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Danish nationalism (Danish: Dansk Nationalisme) Dansk is a political and cultural ideology that emphasizes the shared identity, language, history, and traditions of the Danish people. Rooted in the idea of Denmark as a unified nation-state, Danish nationalism has evolved significantly from its romantic beginnings in the 19th century to its more civic-oriented and, in some cases, exclusionary forms in contemporary politics.[citation needed]
Historical background
[edit]Danish nationalism began to crystallize during the 19th century, especially in response to the Napoleonic Wars and the loss of Norway to Sweden in 1814. Romantic nationalist thinkers such as N.F.S. Grundtvig[1] promoted the idea of a Danish people united by a common language, history, and Lutheran Christian heritage.
The movement gained momentum during the Schleswig-Holstein Question, where Danish nationalists sought to assert Danish identity in the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, which were contested by German nationalists. The Second Schleswig War in 1864, in which Denmark lost much of Schleswig to Prussia, was a major turning point in the nationalist narrative, fostering a sense of victimhood and desire for cultural preservation.[2]
Key features
[edit]- Language and culture: Emphasis on the Danish language and traditional cultural practices as essential components of national identity.
- Monarchy and history: The Danish monarchy is often viewed as a symbol of national unity, with historical continuity dating back to the Viking Age.
- Territorial identity: Nationalism in Denmark has often been tied to specific territories, such as Jutland and the islands, and historically to claims over Schleswig.[3]
- Folk High Schools: Influenced by Grundtvig, these institutions aimed to promote Danish culture, history, and democratic values among the rural population.[4]
Modern Danish nationalism
[edit]In the 20th and 21st centuries, Danish nationalism has taken multiple forms:
- Civic Nationalism: Promotes integration based on shared civic values and democratic participation.
- Right-Wing Nationalism: Often associated with anti-immigration policies, Euroscepticism, and cultural preservation. Parties like the Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti) have used nationalist rhetoric to appeal to voters concerned about globalization and multiculturalism.[5]
Controversies and criticism
[edit]Modern nationalist movements in Denmark have been criticized for xenophobia and for fostering an exclusionary identity. Critics argue that certain nationalist policies conflict with the country's human rights obligations and undermine social cohesion in a multicultural society.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ Østergård, Uffe (1992). "Peasants and Danes: The Danish National Identity and Political Culture". Comparative Studies in Society and History. 34 (1): 3–27. doi:10.1017/S0010417500017412. ISSN 0010-4175. JSTOR 178983.
- ^ "Kampen om folket". www.historie-online.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2025-04-21.
- ^ Arendt, Hannah; Martin, Ruth (2017). "Nation-State and Democracy". Arendt Studies. 1: 7–12. doi:10.5840/arendtstudies201713. ISSN 2574-2329. JSTOR 48511459.
- ^ "Skolen for livet". Forfatterweb (in Danish). Retrieved 2025-04-21.
- ^ Rydgren, Jens (2010). "Radical Right-wing Populism in Denmark and Sweden: Explaining Party System Change and Stability". The SAIS Review of International Affairs. 30 (1): 57–71. ISSN 1945-4716. JSTOR 27000210.
- ^ Hervik, Peter (2014). The Annoying Difference: The Emergence of Danish Neonationalism, Neoracism, and Populism in the Post-1989 World (DGO - Digital original, 1 ed.). Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-0-85745-100-2. JSTOR j.ctt9qd3g2.
- ^ Powers, Shawn (2008-12-01). "Examining the Danish cartoon affair: mediatized cross-cultural tensions?". Media, War & Conflict. 1 (3): 339–359. doi:10.1177/1750635208097050. ISSN 1750-6352.