This has been done by examining the importance of historical, legal, political and cultural conditions for the development of a freer public sphere in the Nordic countries, from the formative phase in the early 19th century to a gradually broader public sphere towards the end of the century.
Extensive freedom of expression and a well-functioning public sphere are generally considered prerequisites for today's trust-based open Nordic societies.
The Nordic countries achieve top rankings in international rankings with regard to freedom of expression and transparency.
But freedom of expression and a well-functioning public sphere cannot be taken for granted, and history shows that there has been a development over time characterized by struggle, conflict, gradual change and setbacks.
The research group has contributed through its research to a historically informed understanding of current Nordic conditions.
The research group consisted of around 30 researchers from Norwegian and Nordic universities, from history, law, theology, history of ideas, political science, and literary studies.
Cooperating partners
The group was led by Dag Michalsen and Ruth Hemstad and comprises of participants from the following institutions:
- Department of Public and International Law & the research group Law, Society and Historical Change, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo
- Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo
- Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, Faculty of Humanities, University of Oslo
- Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
- National Library of Norway
- Storting Archives
Publications
Events
The Public Sphere and Freedom of Expression, Britain and the Nordic Countries 1815-1900
The UiO:Nordic project "The Public Sphere and Freedom of Expression in the Nordic Countries, 1815-1900" and the Department of Scandinavian Studies at University College London invite to the conference "The Public Sphere and Freedom of Expression, Britain and the Nordic Countries 1815-1900" in London, 7-8 June, 2018.
Time and place: – , University College London