Sweden and the Origins of Global Resource Colonialism: Exploring a Small Country 's Natural Resource Interests in Africa , Caucasia and the Arctic , 1870-1930

This project investigates the role of Swedish actors in the emergence of global resource colonialism in the period 1870-1930, focusing on three colonial arenas where both the Swedish government and private Swedish companies have been active - the Arctic, Africa and the Caucasus. During this period Europe became an industrial center and several European states took colonies in Africa and Asia in order to gain access to natural resources and export markets. Sweden had no such colonies, but gained access to resources and markets in other ways. The project aims to investigate how Swedish actors acted in this context and why. We believe that some of the main characteristics of the Swedish way of interacting with other players in terms of global resources were established during this period. 

Participants at the Division: Per Högselius, Dag Avango and David Nilsson
Funding agency: Vetenskapsrådet / Swedish Science Council
Duration: 2013-2015