Noble Conceptions of Politics in Eighteenth-century Sweden (ca 1740-1790)Noble conceptions of politics in eighteenth-century Sweden (ca 1740-1790) is a study of how the Swedish nobility articulated its political ideals, self-images and loyalties during the Age of Liberty and under the rule of Gustav III. This book takes a close look at the aristocracy's understanding of a free constitution and at the nobility's complex relationship with the monarchy. Central themes are the old notion of mixed government, classical republican conceptions of liberty and patriotism, as well as noble thoughts on the rights and duties of the citizen, including the right to rebellion against an unrighteous ruler. The study is a conceptual analysis of public and private political statements made by members of the nobility, such as Diet speeches and personal correspondence. The book contributes to the large body of research on estate-based identities and the transformation of political language in the second half of the eighteenth century by connecting Swedish political ideals and concepts to their European context. |
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Age of Liberty Anjala antika skevheten aristocratic autocracy Axel von Fersen Brusewitz Cantzlerens Cap party Carl Gustaf Tessin Carl XII:s död Chancellery President citizen Clas Ekeblad Commendeurens af Kongl common concept constitution of 1720 DelaGardieska samlingen Diet död till statshvälfningen duty eighteenth century elite Engeströmska samlingen fatherland Finnish French frihet friheten Frihetstidens grundlagar fundamental laws grundlagar och konstitutionella Gustav III Hållit Hållne Hat party Herr Riks-Rådet historiska handlingar Högwälborne Grefwe CARL honour House of Nobility instance Jouanna kärlek king king's konstitutionella stadgar Lagerroth licence Lindberg loyalty Maj:ts Orden Malmström Matthias Alexander medborgare monarchy Montesquieu nation nobility's oath officers patriotic political discourse privileges Quentin Skinner rättigheter realm regime republic republican rhetorical Ridderskapet och Adelen Rikets Riks-Salen Riksdag Riksdagen Riksens Ständer royal rule Senate sovereignty speech statshvälfningen 1772 Stockholm subjects Svenska Sveriges politiska historia Sweden Swedish nobility Swedish political term Thure Gustaf Rudbeck undersåtare virtue wår wid Landt-Marskalks Stafwens