| 1. |
- Müller, Leos, 1962-
(författare)
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The merchant houses of Stockholm, c. 1640-1800 : A comparative study of early-modern entrepreneurial behaviour
- 1998
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis analyses the entrepreneurial behaviour of the Stockholm merchants in the early-modern period. Two merchant families, the Momma-Reenstiernas (1640-80) and the Grills (1730-1800), are studied and compared, with the aim of tracing the typical pattern of the entrepreneurial behaviour and how it changed between the mid-seventeenth and the mid-eighteenth centuries. In contrast to the traditional economic understanding of entrepreneurship, its social aspects are pointed out here. The entrepreneurial behaviour is seen in two time-spans: the short time-span of everyday business and the long time-span of long-term decisions and investments. In the long term, the entrepreneurial behaviour was basically motivated by social reproduction and not by the profitability of the business.The two cases studied reveal three significant features of entrepreneurial behaviour. Monopolistic practices appear to have been the typical entrepreneurial strategy of the Momma-Reenstiernas and their contemporaries. By 1670, the Momma-Reenstiernas had succeeded - together with the related Kock-Cronström family - in monopolising the Swedish brass industry and trade. On the other hand, monopolistic practices do not appear to have been typical of the firm of Carlos & Claes Grill. The Grills took part in the launching of monopoly companies, but these activities were usually joint actions by the wholesale merchant community of Stockholm (the so-called "quayside nobility"). Another typical feature of the early-modern, entrepreneurial behaviour was the building-up of durable and reliable social networks. The role of the social networks did not change during the period studied. The third feature of the early-modern, entrepreneurial behaviour concerns the risk management. The Momma-Reenstiernas diminished risks by controlling not only the exchange but also the production and transport of commodities. The Grills spread the risks among different business sectors and forms of investment. This difference is explained by the different conditions of trade in the mid-seventeenth and mid-eighteenth centuries.
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| 2. |
- Blomqvist, Anders E. B., 1972-
(författare)
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Economic Nationalizing in the Ethnic Borderlands of Hungary and Romania : Inclusion, Exclusion and Annihilation in Szatmár/Satu-Mare 1867–1944
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The history of the ethnic borderlands of Hungary and Romania in the years 1867–1944 were marked by changing national borders, ethnic conflicts and economic problems. Using a local case study of the city and county of Szatmár/Satu-Mare, this thesis investigates the practice and social mechanisms of economic nationalizing. It explores the interplay between ethno-national and economic factors, and furthermore analyses what social mechanisms lead to and explain inclusion, exclusion and annihilation.The underlying principle of economic nationalizing in both countries was the separation of citizens into ethnic categories and the establishment of a dominant core nation entitled to political and economic privileges from the state. National leaders implemented a policy of economic nationalizing that exploited and redistributed resources taken from the minorities. To pursue this end, leaders instrumentalized ethnicity, which institutionalized inequality and ethnic exclusion. This process of ethnic, and finally racial, exclusion marked the whole period and reached its culmination in the annihilation of the Jews throughout most of Hungary in 1944.For nearly a century, ethnic exclusion undermined the various nationalizing projects in the two countries: the Magyarization of the minorities in dualist Hungary (1867–1918); the Romanianization of the economy of the ethnic borderland in interwar Romania (1918–1940); and finally the re-Hungarianization of the economy in Second World War Hungary (1940–1944).The extreme case of exclusion, namely the Holocaust, revealed that the path of exclusion brought nothing but destruction for everyone. This reinforces the thesis that economic nationalizing through the exclusion of minorities induces a vicious circle of ethnic bifurcation, political instability and unfavorable conditions for achieving economic prosperity. Exclusion served the short-term elite’s interest but undermined the long-term nation’s ability to prosper.
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| 3. |
- Hellman, Lisa, 1984-
(författare)
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Navigating the foreign quarters : Everyday life of the Swedish East India Company employees in Canton and Macao 1730–1830
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis analyses the everyday life of the Swedish East India company employees in Canton and Macao 1730–1830. Through a focus on everyday practices, analysed on the basis of ethnicity, class and gender, I show how the Swedes and other foreigners led their everyday life in a constant interplay between adaptation to and transgression of Chinese rules.In Canton, many everyday practices taken for granted in Europe, or in European colonies, were changed or made inaccessible to the foreigners by the Chinese authorities. This thesis highlights the daily practices of globalisation in Canton, a place not dominated by Europeans. The sources are a combination of correspondence, travel writings, journals and court protocols written by European, North American and Chinese men and women; this multilingual source material mirrors the multi-ethnic composition of the foreign quarters.The thesis combines historical studies on everyday life, globalisation, port cities, East India companies, Canton, Macao and intercultural interactions, and does so through five case studies: how the local groups were experienced and formed, the spatial construction of Canton and Macao, the local communication, material practices and the establishment of trust. Interaction between various foreign groups was as important for everyday life as contacts between the foreign and Chinese groups; the fact that the foreign groups were numerous thus had crucial effects on life in the foreign quarters. Furthermore, I demonstrate that Chinese authorities used the segregation between groups on the basis of gender and ethnicity as a control mechanism. In addition, four snapshots focusing on individual traders show how the foreign quarters changed over time. The personal relations went from short-term to long-term and the Swedes were increasingly involved in the lives of local men and women. In the early nineteenth century, the Chinese control was increasingly questioned.The basis for most restrictions of everyday practices was the Chinese authorities’ will to uphold an ethnic division: that between Chinese and non-Chinese. Additionally, class was constructed both within groups of foreigners and groups of Chinese, sometimes jointly. Gender proved to be a particularly fruitful analytical concept for this thesis. I show not only that the gender segregation and the discursive construction of Chinese and foreign men and women were crucial for how the intercultural interaction was perceived, but also the importance of face-to-face meetings with foreign and Chinese women. Furthermore, many everyday practices were consistently intertwined with the construction of masculinity in Chinese, European as well as North American groups in Canton.The present study differs from previous research in its focus on everyday life rather than economic and diplomatic aspects; there are no previous studies on groups, space, communication, materiality or trust in the foreign quarters, nor any analyses of class, ethnicity and gender. Previous research has focused on large, colonial actors. In contrast, the Swedish East India Company employees’ time in Canton constitutes a meeting in which the local power far outweighed the foreign one. This study of daily life in the foreign quarters demonstrates a need to rephrase, and rethink, the framework for intercultural interaction between Europe and Asia, the established views of early modern power relations as well as the view of how everyday life was led in homes away from home.
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| 4. |
- Häggqvist, Henric, 1981-
(författare)
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On the Ocean of Protectionism : The Structure of Swedish Tariffs and Trade 1780–1830
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In the field of international trade there is an intriguing tension between the ideological allure of free trade and the political reality of protectionism. Typically, the former is favored by scholars while the latter has been more historically prevalent. Protectionism in the form of tariffs and other obstacles trade was generally a preferred trade policy around the globe in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Sweden was no exception and has been seen as highly protectionist and mercantilist during this period.This thesis has sought to shed new light on Swedish trade policy between 1780 and 1830. It has done so by quantifying and homogenizing tariffs and import bans in order to be able to analyze the structure of tariffs. The thesis stands on a theoretical ground which takes into account the different plausible reasons for setting tariffs. It has placed some emphasis on the possible tension between the desire to shelter one’s own industry from foreign competition and the need to use tariffs for fiscal purposes, as an important source of government revenue. It is therefore argued that tariffs need to be separated theoretically and empirically. A simple model is presented which aims to discern three types of tariffs. The model takes into account the tariff rate itself, and also the structure of trade and the presence of domestic substitution.The thesis has found that Swedish tariffs were generally high over the period and that protectionism was prevalent in a large number of economic sectors. There is tentative evidence that protectionist tariffs also distorted trade in certain types of goods, even if they didn’t have an impact on total import levels. Tariffs were also set so as to separate between raw materials and more processed goods, what is called mercantilist differentiation. Substantial empirical support is given to the claim that certain tariffs on inelastic consumption goods were of great fiscal importance, and increasingly so as the period progressed. The fiscal pressure maintained or even increased the import tariffs, which made it possible to decrease tariffs on exports.
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| 5. |
- Jonsson, Patrick, 1967-
(författare)
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Handelsfrihetens vänner och förbuden : identitet och politisk kommunikation i svensk tullpolitik 1823-1854
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Free trade can seem a peculiar thing, it’s both an economical theory and a trade policy, both an ideology and a scientific theory. Much of these tensions can be found already in the writings of Adam Smith. The dissertation focus the political aspect of free trade, and investigates how it was communicated within Swedish trade policy between 1823 and 1854. During this period the prohibitions in the Swedish tariff were subject of a fierce debate within the political system. 1823 a principal decision was taken to abolish them, but not until 1854 and 1857 respectively, one can say it was finally executed. Recent theories on trade policy change, suggests that to explain these kinds of processes, one can’t only look at the primary economic interests behind the change. Institutions and ideas are vital factors as well. My investigation considers these together with the aspects arenas and actors as important together with the more economic factors. The political actors communicated the issue on arenas, and the issue got institutionalised within the political system and was affected by existing institutions. Existing ideas also influenced how the problem was finally solved. The free traders are studied as political communicators where message and identities worked together. Political aspects like virtues, national interests and rhetoric came into play that explains why the change cannot be reduced to the strength of economic interests. In this the British free trade reforms gave the Swedish free traders important tools. In line with developments on the continent during the middle of the century, free trade was adopted and championed as a policy for national enrichment and empowerment. In this the roles played by different actors were important, the main roles were that of statesman and spokesperson for the people, both originated within the British political process. Swedish actors adopted these and transformed them to a Swedish context.
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| 6. |
- Lundblad, Stefan, 1975-
(författare)
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Honourable Merchant or Efficient Businessman : The Transformation of Economic Culture and the Leading Economic Actors in Gävle 1765–1869
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This dissertation deals with how economic actors acted and related to economic institutions that were in a state of change. The question can be formulated as follows: How did the economic culture that Gävle's leading economic actors were a part of change during the period 1765–1869? The aim of the study is to provide new insight into Swedish economic development during this period.The conceptual starting point involves the concepts of institution and culture. It is through culture – a meaning making of actions and ideas – that human beings perceive institutions. I maintain that there is a particular culture within the framework of the economy – and that culture consisted of a practice and a symbol system. The purpose of the symbol system is to convey a trust that is both based upon and required in practice.The foundation of practice and of the symbol system that were used in the period before the 1840s was considerations of security associated with the private individual. There was no possibility to effectively supervise contracts entered into. This situation demanded institutions in which the basis of trust was expressed with clarity. The symbol system was aimed to create a relation between the merchant as an individual and his business contacts. After the 1840s it no longer made a difference to determine whether someone was a good person, but rather whether their business was profitable while maintaining technical quality so that one could rely on their products. It was no longer a lack of institutional clarity that called forth the symbol system and the practice that were used, but rather sheer economic insecurity. The honourable merchant who built his practice on security and had a symbol system that demonstrated this was gone. It was now the new efficient businessman who showed the way.
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| 7. |
- Pålsson, Ale, 1987-
(författare)
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Our Side of the Water : Political Culture in the Swedish colony of St Barthélemy 1800–1825
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The small island of St Barthélemy was a Swedish colony 1784–1878 and saw its greatest population growth and trade during the turn of the nineteenth century. This was because of Gustavia, the Swedish founded free port, which attracted mariners from the Caribbean, North America and Europe. Their goal was to become Swedish subjects, as Swedish neutrality provided a benefit during the various wars at this time between France, Great Britain and the United States. As these mariners changed their national allegiance from their country of origin to Sweden, questions about their political rights emerged. The makeup, as well as the role, of the local council became a contested issue between native and naturalized Swedes. This conflict, as well as many other local and global issues, was discussed in various mediums. I have examined petitions, the newspaper The Report of Saint Bartholomew and discussions within the council, to create an understanding of how political expression was formed by the population, as well as controlled by Swedish administrators. This analysis has been performed through an intersectional framework considering gender, race and ethnicity. My study shows that while most native and naturalized Swedes believed in input from the population, they had different perceptions of what the purpose of this input was. The Swedish administration saw the political participation of the naturalized population as purely advisory, without any obligation to perform its wishes, which the population resented and protested. Gender played a significant role in the formation of political expression, as masculinity was essential to the identity of white men and free men of colour as political subjects. Yet ethnicity, in terms of place of birth, had no significant impact among the free population’s political identity, although it did render them politically unreliable in the eye of native Swedish administration.
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| 8. |
- Sjöblom, Ingvar, 1968-
(författare)
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Svenska sjöofficerare under 1500-talet
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- What was the expertise of a naval officer during the 16th century? How did the naval officers’ expand, and what was the power relations like? These questions asked initially in the dissertation, try to capture the essence of the actual purpose, namely to investigate the development, power relations and the competence of a naval officer in the Swedish Navy during the 16th century (1522-1595).There was a correlated relationship between the military strategic choice of the operational area, naval tactical choices vessel types for customized naval warfare and the need for naval officers. A naval officer was a person who was delegated the state power to lead all fleets or individual warships. The fleet was considered as a significant State organization. Periodically, it belonged to one of the most expensive items of expenditure, which each year would be maintained. Naval officers were only added to command if the ship was on a military missions. They were responsible for combat, maintaining lines of communication, carrying out trade war, transporting supplies, patrolling and customs duty. War regulated if the Navy was properly equipped and manned.Naval expertise was clearly evident in the Admiral instructions during the Northern Seven Years War. The instructions included military strategy, tactics and actions during sea combat. The court material shows that the naval officer should fight (bravely) and not dishonorably. A Naval officer should be loyal in terms of reliability, but also to exercise authority, implement and lead naval operations, and artillery and sea combat. He should also ensure that the supplies were distributed in a proper manner and that the Christian sermon should be conducted in accordance with current standards. The naval officer could even be responsible for recruitment, payroll and other administrative activities.Overall, this meant that the naval officer would be responsible for money, safety, discipline and legal issues, and be prepared to exercise the power of state force against the enemy. However, he did not need to navigate or set sail; it was instead the specialists further down the hierarchy chain who were responsible for navigation. In many ways, it was all about supply and demand when a naval officer was to be appointed. And this mirrored social hierarchy in general.
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| 9. |
- Svensson, Harry R:son, 1976-
(författare)
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Fabian Philip, familjen Ruben och örlogsstaden : Entreprenörsfamiljen som grundade Mosaiska församlingen i Karlskrona 1780–1945
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The purpose of the dissertation is to investigate Jewish integration in the naval city of Karlskrona in the period 1780–1945. This was done by the investigation of the economic, social and cultural strategies that the Jewish Philip/Ruben family used in their family business in Karlskrona during the 19th century. This has made it possible to understand how a Jewish family and congregation interacted with and became integrated in a Swedish naval-city environment. The study gives also new information about and a better understanding of the Swedish naval environment and naval production capacity. The study provides new knowledge on different fields of studies as Swedish Jewish history, urban history, naval history (the history of the Swedish Royal Navy), history of migration and integration, and the history of Karlskrona. The dissertation studies the history of the Philip/Ruben family in three distinct perspectives: economic, social and cultural. Moreover, the study pays attention to the process of the family’s integration and adaptation of different Jewish groups in Karlskrona.Fabian Philip obtained an exception from the Swedish legislation forbidding Jews to live in other towns than Stockholm, Göteborg and Norrköping, and settled in the naval city of Karlskrona. His family came to constitute the Jewish congregation in Karlskrona in the period 1782–1862. Karlskrona therefore became the fourth city in Sweden where Jews were allowed to settle. Fabian Philip and his family originated from Bützow in northern Germany. Fabian Philip’s establishment in Karlskrona depended upon his role as contractor, supplying sailcloth to the Swedish Royal Navy. After the Vienna Congress of 1815 Sweden adopted a Doctrine of Central defense and The Swedish Royal Navy lost its importance for the defense of Sweden. With a minimum of funding the Swedish Royal Navy went into a state of despair and so did Karlskrona’s local economy.By 1830 agriculture was the only viable economic niche in the economically neglected Karlskrona but Jews were prohibited to own landed property until 1860. Fabian Philip was able, with the help of Karlskrona’s officer staff, to circumnavigate the legislation and became a landowner of big Afvelsgärde estate. Of all the Jewish-owned estates in Sweden in the mid-century 10 percent were to be owned by the Philip/Ruben family. When Sweden was industrialized in 1870–1890, the local economy of Karlskrona managed to compensate for the decline in activities of the Swedish Royal Navy. The family succeeded to take part in the program of local modernization that was launched from the 1880s. The Philip/Ruben family contributed to the economic modernization of Karlskrona as bankers and factory owners. The family thrived in the city’s surprisingly open and cosmopolitan environment. Until now, no research has been undertaken about the Jewish congregation or the Jewish life in Karlskrona. The results of this dissertation contribute to the understanding of Jewish life in Sweden.
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