Swedish economic history writing 20th4; National self-sufficiency or recognition of the international context?

Abstract

Today's economic historians face a professional challenge in the light of recent changes in the global economy and society at large. This issue is addressed using Swedish economic history writing as an example. A short overview of academic economic history research in Sweden during the 20th century reveals that national development is the dominating framework. The authors argue that the emphasis in recent textbooks on national development makes it harder to grasp economic and social development during recent decades. If economic history as a discipline is to retain its explanatory value in the social sciences, the traditional national textbook narratives will have to give way to reinterpretations and conceptualisations within a more global context.