Neutrality's Empire - by Per Högselius & David Nilsson & Hanna Vikström (Hardcover)
About this item
Highlights
- Reconciling Sweden's reputation for political neutrality and scientific prestige alongside its involvement in extractivist colonial projects exposes uncomfortable overlaps between these seemingly disparate ventures.
- About the Author: Hanna Vikström is an assistant professor in History at Luleå University of Technology.
- 280 Pages
- History, Europe
Description
Book Synopsis
Reconciling Sweden's reputation for political neutrality and scientific prestige alongside its involvement in extractivist colonial projects exposes uncomfortable overlaps between these seemingly disparate ventures. In this illuminating reappraisal of the intersections between Swedish colonialism and its industrial history, Neutrality's Empire explores how Swedish actors--ranging from diplomats and business leaders to missionaries, geologists and engineers--leveraged Sweden's global standing to access valuable mineral resources across Africa and Asia. In doing so, this book presents a historical narrative which clarifies Sweden's entanglement with the forces of globalization, colonialism, and climate change.
Review Quotes
"This is a very important intervention into both histories of Swedish colonialism and also into theoretical understandings of colonialism. It usefully extends consideration of Sweden's role beyond the traditional colonial era of the 16-18th centuries to consider the 19th and 20th centuries- as such, it is addressing Sweden's role within the emergent forces of globalization." - Audrey Horning, William & Mary College
"This is an extremely important book. It explores Swedish initiation and involvement in extractivist colonial and neocolonial projects in Africa and Asia, drawing attention to the discourses and politics that allowed Swedish companies, individuals, and state to operate as colonial and neocolonial actors without drawing objection or criticism." - Magdalena Naum, Lund University
About the Author
Hanna Vikström is an assistant professor in History at Luleå University of Technology. Her work examines the phenomenon of resource scarcity in historical perspective, with a particular focus on Sweden's perception of metal scarcity and the country's attempts to secure critical metals through domestic and foreign exploitative initiatives. She has published extensively on topics related to the history of technology and the extractive industries.
