PARTICULAR INTERESTS AND THE COMMON GOOD IN SWEDISH MID‐18TH‐CENTURY DIET POLITICS: THE ‘FINNISH’ PERSPECTIVE1

Abstract

In 20th‐century history writing, 18th‐century politicians from the eastern part of the Swedish realm have often been regarded as ‘Finnish patriots’ because they promoted local interests at the Diet. However, it is not evident how these ‘Finns’ themselves perceived their role. This article analyses four examples from the 1740s to the early 1770s, related to political disputes in which the rhetoric of ‘common good’ was used. Here, Finnish interests do not appear to be primary. Instead, the interests of the realm and its inhabitants dominate the discourse, as well as the interests of particular estates and local communities. 18th‐century politicians can thus be seen as active members of a multi‐layered society of privilege kept together by the belief in the common good, rather than as early protagonists of nationalist ideals.