Denmark is internationally known for a high level of both social and institutional trust – a cornerstone of the welfare society, which among other things ensures low corruption, minimal bureaucracy and high citizen well-being. But how did this culture of trust actually come about?

This question forms the basis for Sasja Emilie Mathiasen Stopa's new research project, which examines the cultural-historical background of the Danish culture of trust with a focus on the period from the end of the 1800s to the beginning of World War II.

"During that period, the popular movements contributed to redefining notions of credible authority, individual authority and democratic citizenship – fundamental elements in the transition from the hierarchical culture of absolute monarchy to a democratic culture of trust," says Sasja Emilie Mathiasen Stopa.

The project focuses in particular on the Grundtvigian movement and the women's movement, and examines how social notions – often rooted in Lutheran theology – were challenged and reformulated as part of the movements' mobilization of the population. The development meant that new authority figures emerged, such as the dairy manager, the scout leader, the utility distributor and the woman in the public space.

The women's movement's struggle for women's suffrage entailed a fundamental redefinition of women's authority. A good example is the occasion song "The Modern Eve", which was sung at a suffrage meeting in 1912. Here, Eva, who for thousands of years had symbolized female weakness, is hailed as an intellectual rebel and a socialist role model:

"She demanded more – the trees of knowledge, she plundered at last."

The project builds on Sasja Emilie Mathiasen Stopa's previous research into how notions from Lutheran theology have influenced Danish social development – under the auspices of the LUMEN Centre and a project at the University of Edinburgh funded by the Carlsberg Foundation – and is an extension of her current research into Grundtvig's theology and social thinking at the Centre for Grundtvig Research.

"I hope that the project can contribute with new insights into how notions of legitimate authority, authority and citizenship were shaped in the popular movements – and thus also shed light on contemporary notions that we often take for granted," she says.

In connection with the project, the researchers will, among other things, examine the journals that played a significant role in the popular movements and can provide an insight into how social notions were articulated, challenged and redefined as part of the development of a democratic culture of trust. This applies, for example, to the Labour Party. Kvinden og Samfundet, Brugsforenings-Bladet and Højskolebladet, which have just been digitized by the Center for Digital Text Heritage.

As part of the project, there will also be an opportunity to hire a PhD student, and the job advertisement is expected to be published shortly.

Contact

Sasja Emilie Mathiasen Stopa, Senior Researcher
Centre for Grundtvig Research
School of Culture and Society
Aarhus University
Mobile: + 45 2625 7674
Mail: stopa@cas.au.dk