Noble conceptions of politics in eighteenth-century Sweden (ca 1740-1790)

Wolff, Charlotta
Title: Noble conceptions of politics in eighteenth-century Sweden (ca 1740-1790)
Authors: Wolff, Charlotta (Author)
Product number: 9789522220929
Product form: Paperback
Availability: Delivery in 7-14 workdays
Price: 29,00 € (26,36 € vat 0 %)

Publ. product code: 1379301
Publisher: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura
Series: Studia Fennica Historica 15
Edition: 1. edition, 2008
Language: English
Pages: 136
Product family: History
Studia Fennica Historica
Books in English
Finnish library classification: 93.1 Ruotsin historia
YSO - General Finnish ontology: aateli, yläluokka, poliittinen eliitti, identiteetti, ihanteet, valtiomuodot, tasavaltalaisuus, vapaus, kansalaisuus, politiikka, käsitteet, kielenkäyttö, vapauden aika, kustavilainen aika, poliittinen historia, historia
Key words: Identity, Political Elite, ideals, nobility, upper class
Noble conceptions of politics in eighteenth-century Sweden (ca 1740-1790) is a study of how the Swedish nobility articulated its political ideals, self-images and loyalties during the Age of Liberty and under the rule of Gustav III. This book takes a close look at the aristocracy's understanding of a free constitution and at the nobility's complex relationship with the monarchy. Central themes are the old notion of mixed government, classical republican conceptions of liberty and patriotism, as well as noble thoughts on the rights and duties of the citizen, including the right to rebellion against an unrighteous ruler.

The study is a conceptual analysis of public and private political statements made by members of the nobility, such as Diet speeches and personal correspondence. The book contributes to the large body of research on estate-based identities and the transformation of political language in the second half of the eighteenth century by connecting Swedish political ideals and concepts to their European context.