The Story of Scandinavia: From the Vikings to Social Democracy

by Stein Ringen

In The Story of Scandinavia , political scholar Stein Ringen chronicles more than 1,200 years of drama, economic rise and fall, crises, kings and queens, war, peace, language and culture.

Scandinavian history has been one of dramatic discontinuities of collapse and restarts, from the Viking Age to the Age of Perpetual War to the modern age today. For a thousand years, the Scandinavian countries were kingdoms of repression where monarchs played at the game of being European powers, at the expense of their own populations.

The brand we now know as "Scandinavia" is a recent invention. During most of its history, Denmark and Sweden, and to some degree Norway, were bloody enemies. These sentiments of enmity have not been fully settled. Under the surface of collaboration remain undercurrents of hatred, envy, contempt and pity.

What does it mean today to be Scandinavian? For the author, whose identity is Scandinavian but his life European, this masterly history is a personal exploration as well as a narrative of compelling scope.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Sweden, European History, Denmark, Scandinavian Literature

544 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Stein Ringen (born July 5, 1945) is a Norwegian sociologist and political scientist. He is Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, and a Fellow of Green Templeton College, Oxford (formerly Green College, Oxford).

Early life and education
Ringen holds a magister degree in political science (a 7-year degree including 3 years of research) from the University of Oslo (1972) and a Dr. philos. degree from the University of Oslo (1987).

Career
He has been a visiting professor at Université de Paris I - Panthéon Sorbonne (1995, 1996), École Normale Supérieure de Cachan (1996-1997), Masaryk University (2003), Charles University (2003), University of the West Indies (2004, 2006) and Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (2006).

Books
2023: The Story of Scandinavia: From the Vikings to Social Democracy
2016: The Perfect Dictatorship: China in the 21st Century[2][3]
2013: Nation of Devils: Democratic Leadership and the Problem of Obedience, Yale Univ. Press[1]
2009: The Economic Consequences of Mr Brown
2007: What Democracy Is For
2006: The Possibility of Politics (new edition)
2005: Citizens, Families, and Reform (new edition)
2004: Norges nye befolkning
2000: Veien til det gode liv'
1999: Ordet som er (co-author)
1998: The Family in Question
1997: Reformdemokratiet

Reviews

[Gerry Grenfell-Walford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've generally been avoiding these grand sweep of history style books. I tend to find them overly long, sometimes superficial, or uneven, with areas of specific interest for the author getting more attention, while other areas treated with perfunctory duty.
Somehow Ringen manages to avoid all of this, to any obvious degree. The field is vast: the gradual evolution of numerous chieftaincies into three large powers, then two larger powers, then one union, then back to two, then finally three (more if you count the Baltic states and Finland).
It's all somehow interesting!
Peeling back superficial images of glamorous vikings and peace-loving socialist Scandies, Ringen shows us through the reality of radical transformation, based as it is on extreme, terrible poverty and deprivation, arrogant and pompous kingship, senseless, endless and futile wars, and the paradoxical role of Lutheranism in forming contemporary Scandinavian sensibilities and core ideas of fairness, fiscal prudence, collective identity, duty and a mistrust of excess. Ruthless order.
Not for Ringen the supposed glamour of the Vikings - ignorance, brutality and inconsistency show a good deal of effort failing to translate into improvement in conditions at home. For Ringen, Scandinavia is desperately poor, and eternally peripheral, always working harder than others just to play catch-up with the rest of the European states.
This is a revealing, clear-eyed but never bitter exposé of Scandinavian identity and sense of itself, with it's strands of exceptionalism, eugenics and flirtation with Nazism in open display, along with it's latter-day commitment to social justice and humanism.
I found all of it interesting and insightful. Dare I say it, but Ringen has probably buried my childhood interest in viking and early Mediaeval Scandinavia. Romantic stories of brave warriors is just not how it was. He has, however, kindled respect for what, over a millennium and a half, the peoples of the North have slowly, and at terrible cost, managed to achieve.

Four stars, and one of the best general histories I have read of any part of the world.

[Captain Absurd · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fascinated me here was the conclusion that a socialist's dream could indeed come true without implementing a fully socialist state. I'm guessing this is what's happening in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Keep doing, what you're doing, Scandinavia!

The story of the Viking times and the account of the present day are the best sections of the text.

For me it's almost a five out of five, but it is also an effort.

[Manuel Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compreender os países nórdicos, a escandinava, é compreender uma Europa diferente de tudo o resto. É compreender como alcançar uma sociedade desenvolvida, equilibrada e solidária, partindo de um atraso gigantesco.

Desde à violência da cultura nórdica até ao surgimento das várias Sociais-Democracias (que variaram entre países), desde as ocupações e invasões, do colonialismo ao isolamento como voz humana e justa das relações internacionais.

Demasiado interessante e bem construído para não recomendar, mesmo para aqueles ao qual os países nórdicos não dizem nada.

[Kristiana Cankowa · Rating 4 out of 5]

1200 години история на три страни оформящи така наречената Скандинавия, събрана в 540 страници.
Стайн Ринген ни запознава със Скандинавия отвътре, с подробности, с много детайли и интересни факти.
Започва от Викингите, разбира се и паралелно разказва какво се е случвало в Швеция, Норвегия и Дания. Продължава с това защо са ги смятали за варвари, вярваниятя им, какво оставят като наследство и т.н. Минаваме през Средновековиета, Реформацията, Чумата, оформянето на нови кралства, Империализма, колониализма. Непрестанната вражда между трите държави и "менкането" на Финландия и близките острови. Последствията от ПСВ и ВСВ и стигаме до първите наченки на партии, политики, реформи, закони, констиниции и все пак успешно развитие на Скандинавските страни. Но... има едно нещо, което продължава и до днес... враждата между Норвегия, Дания и Швеция.
Целта за прочита на книгата, бе да разцера отвътре повече за Скандинавия, освен за Викингите и определено намерих това, което търсих.

[Randy Bil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eindelijk een boek met een mooi ‘totaaloverzicht’ van de Scandinavische geschiedenis nu immers het Deense, Noorse en Zweedse verleden nadrukkelijk met elkaar is verbonden. Het boek wordt ingeleid met prikkelende vragen zoals waarom Zweden zich niet als van oudsher meer op het oosten (Finland, Rusland, Baltische Staten) is blijven richten, waarom Denemarken geen Duitse provincie is geworden of hoe het überhaupt mogelijk is dat het smalle langgerekte Noorwegen bestaand uit 1,5 man en een paardenkop een zelfstandig land is geworden? De onderlinge voortdurende oorlogshunker tot in de 17e eeuw en daarna de op neutraliteit gerichte houding in conflicten blijft opmerkelijk en wordt toegelicht. De Scandinavische geschiedenis hangt nadrukkelijk samen met de bredere Europese context maar wat opvalt is dat (o.a. economische, culturele, technologische) ontwikkelingen meestal later kwamen in deze “woeste” contreien. En zie daar; sinds de enorme welvaartsgroei na WOII en deels door het sociaal democratische adagium, zijn ze tot op heden nog steeds de meest succesvolle landen ter wereld. Door de brede opzet is het boek soms wel wat beschrijvend en het viel me op dat vooral van secundaire bronnen gebruik wordt gemaakt. Niettemin zou ik op dit moment dit boek als eerste aanbevelen om meer over het “Scandinavische” te weten te komen.

[Hanna Svenhag · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very poorly translated into English which made the book difficult to follow. The first 3/4 were very confusing and jumped massively back and forth in time (although not an easy task with all of the royalty) which made it difficult to get a sense of the flow through the book. A shame, it had potential but fell short to me

[Andrew Guttridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I might have overestimated my interest in Scandinavian history. Started strong with the Vikings, ended with fascinating modern social history. In between? A whole lot of Kings named Christian. Well written, but bits just didn't engage.

[Lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boka starter med et godt utgangspunkt; å skulle fortelle en felles historie om Skandinavia. Jeg liker ideen om et bind med felles historie og forfatteren har valgt interessante historiske hendelser og personer å fortelle om. Men historien blir fortalt på en oppramsende og lite fortellende måte, og boka blir derfor ikke verken levende eller spennende. Språket flyter dårlig, og bærer preg av å være oversatt og omarbeidet fra engelsk. Det er også historie jeg savner; samisk historie blir knapt nevnt og skeive perspektiver hviskes ut. Boka mangler en helhet og en sterk fortellende stemme.

[clismo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Af en toe warrig boek dat vol staat met wanstaltig slechte en soms ronduit onbegrijpelijke zinnen. Of dat aan het origineel ligt, aan de vertaling of aan allebei, weet ik niet. Ik ben in elk geval blij dat ik er doorheen ben en raad geïnteresseerden aan verder te zoeken voor een boek over de geschiedenis van Scandinavië.

[Frederik Leyns · Rating 4 out of 5]

vrij volledig relaas over de geschiedenis van Denemarken Zweden en Noorwegen. Is meer geschreven als een academische cursus dus soms teveel opsomming van data, koningen en oorlogen. Zou wat meer geïllustreerd mogen zijn met kaarten en foto's. Maar desalniettemin toch de moeite waard als je meer wilt weten over de geschiedenis van dit deel van Europa.

[Sergio Boekepipi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zet je zilveren vikinghelm maar terug in de kast. Stein Ringen zet onze geliefde vikings in hun onderbroek. Wat rest is niet meer dan een dood spoor in de zoektocht van onze noorderburen naar een Scandinavische identiteit. Die zoektocht voert ons door 1200 jaar geschiedenis. Kan je dat verhaal op 400 pagina’s neerpennen zonder opsommingen van koningen? Nee. Toch krijgt wie zich in dit boek vastbijt geen droge kost. Stino schrijft verhalend en houdt het boeiend door in te zoomen op sleutelfiguren en zijsporen te verkennen. Zeer interessant!

[Alex Pentecost · Rating 3 out of 5]

The coverage of the viking era is annoyingly condescending. Ringen forgoes nuance in favor of disproving white supremacist ideas of viking superiority which makes for a tiring read if you’re a normal person. Would not recommend if you’re planning on reading to learn more about vikings. Every other section of the book is fine though.

[Richard Marney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable history is a rare find. This book on Sweden, Norway, and Denmark is such a work.

[Will Marr · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading this book, I've come to the realisation that I'm not much of a non-fiction, history book fan anymore. At least right now, I am not in the mood to read it. I am interested in Scandinavian culture and history (why I bought this book) but the book covered certain aspects that I didn't unengaging, in great detail. For example, a bunch of Swedish artists were described and most were just bad people. This is more of a matter of taste on my part as the book is quite comprehensive but, I don't share the same interest in each aspect covered in the book.

The book has given me a greater perspective on the countries and how they have different identities. I enjoyed the personal inputs of the Author from their own life too. Also, the book did inspire me to purchase Crusader Kings III and pick up Hearts of Iron 4 again which has been fun. However, I did not like the writing style and often found it hard to follow. We would follow a timeline but then abruptly jump back to different points that disrupted my reading. The book is called 'The Story of Scandinavia', but it did not flow well like a story to me.

If you love History books, have an interest in Scandinavian history/culture and you are looking for your next read, it might be worth picking this up. For me, I took too long reading this and it was not my kind of book (currently) so this diminished my interest in the book..

[Bruce Harpham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of 1200 years of Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The author, an accomplished academic in political science, covers a great deal of ground with ease. I also very much enjoyed the author's periodic personal asides about Norway (where he is from). I was relatively familiar with the earlier era of the Viking age (800-1000) and thought he covered that well. The 19th and 20th century sections were fascinating (the Second World War and the rise and reform of the welfare state in the three countries). Reading this book in audiobook format was a wonderful way to get ready for my next visit to Scandinavia!

[Richard Sisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good general history of Scandinavia, by Norwegian sociologist Stein Ringen, who has worked in policy, academia and research in Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe. Thoughtful and well-written, with occasional engaging asides to the experiences of the author’s family and his own career to illustrate a point (say, on the extraordinary development in standards of living and opportunities available to the average person over the past century and a half).

Although I’ve dipped into the history of the countries the region, I read this book while visiting Sweden and Norway (and Finland), and not only learned a lot, but corrected a few misconceptions. It’s not a glowing story leading to the miracle of the Scandinavian welfare states and society of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. In fact, Ringen is quite critical of the development of the Scandinavian countries over their history, for him a period of 1,200 years from the Viking era of the eighth century (before that there were only primitive peoples in the region).

His main criticisms are that Scandinavia was so on the periphery of Europe that until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries it lagged behind other countries in development, most of it’s development was the result of ideas and technologies introduced from Europe, and that it had nothing to offer others. Among the points Ringen makes as examples are that the Vikings contributed little if anything to the development of the region, they only plundered and their trade was primitive and didn’t evolve. So unattractive and lacking were the Viking lands (ie Scandinavia) that no one from Europe invaded them during this time. Similarly, even the welfare state that we look so admiringly at the Scandinavian countries for, has its origins in Bismarck’s Germany and in Great Britain. Harsh! But it is the society or community of the welfare state, as evolved, slightly differently, by each of the Scandinavian countries that Ringen does credit as an achievement.

The book is ordered by chronological period and takes the approach of comparing and contrasting developments in the three kingdoms. Not only were there significant differences between the three, but Ringen shows that the unity and homogeneity that outsiders ascribe to Denmark, Sweden and Norway are not as strong as thought and are fairly recent. For much of their history the three lands were in competition, either at war with one another (Denmark and Sweden) or dominating one another (Norway was ruled by Denmark and then Sweden for half a millennium!).

The book is a bit uneven. I found the Viking section overly long. Similarly, Ringen devotes a lot of time and pages to cultural achievements and political development, especially in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. I had to resist the urge to skip some sections but I’m glad I didn’t because what I read did provide insight and understanding to what I encountered during my holiday.

The strange approach to referencing, which I’ve noticed in one or two other books recently, detracts from the work. Is this an issue with editing, a skill/profession which seems to be slipping these days? Cost-cutting? What’s wrong with footnotes and endnotes? They’ve served us well for decades. A few more maps would have been useful. I didn’t find that the handful of illustrations in the book were always pertinent, the best choice to make a point or even particularly clear - black and white in a paperback! They’d be best dropped from future editions.

These gripes aside it is a book worth reading. Indeed, some of my traveling companions were interested enough to put it on their reading lists.

[Terje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeg synes denne boka er en veldig god idé. En felles historie om Norge, Sverige og Danmark er helt på sin plass med tanke på hvor tett sammenvevd disse landenes historie er vært. Fra vikingetiden med brutalitet, terror og maktkamper, via forsøkene på fellesskap med dronning Margretes Kalmar-union, til enevelde, undertrykking, mange flere kriger og inn i opplysningstiden, demokratiutviklingen og framveksten av velferdsstaten på 1900-tallet. Sosialdemokratiet blir viet plass med innslag av en ambivalent beundring.

Det hele er grundig og velskrevet. Jeg synes det er fint at kulturens og feminismens utvikling på 1800-tallet blir omtalt, men kan allikevel savne skildringer av populærkulturens vekst i etterkrigstiden.

Lesere som eventuelt ikke er klar over at sagatekstene må leses med en god del klyper salt, kan også bli potensielt villedet. Hvis vi godtar historien om at Leiv Eiriksson oppdaget Vinland etter at han mistet kursen på et tokt, er det Eirik Raudes saga vi bruker som sannhetsvitne. Grønlendingenes saga, med rykte på seg for å være mer troverdig, har en annen historie. Hvis vi oppfatter Magnus den godes drukningsdød som et historisk faktum, overser vi hva som er skrevet i de norsk-islandske sagene, men forholder oss til danske kilder.

Dette er allikevel milde innvendinger. Jeg har kost meg med denne boka og skaffet meg fint overblikk over 1200 år med dramatisk og svært interessant historie.

[Mihaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my Scandinavian research both pleasant and very interesting. It also explained some historical events that I hadn't fully understood or hadn't had the opportunity to learn about. Initially, I found the Scandinavian people to be quite harsh and greedy at the beginning of their development as a nation, but what piqued my curiosity even more was how these people managed to go from being some of the poorest nations in Europe to some of the richest, with significant economic influence and cultural heritage.
The author of the book truly created a masterpiece here. I learned a great deal about the politics that have operated in the Scandinavian countries throughout the centuries and gained new insights into why countries like the one I'm living in lack wealth, prosperity, and economic growth.
I recommend this book because it really opened my eyes to the European communities that have shaped world history. If we seek progress, we must learn more history in order to make better life choices and learn from others' mistakes.

[Tom Fordham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a vivid, sprawling and comprehensive history of Scandinavia, with Ringen's own anecdotes about life in Europe's far north. The main thing that I've learnt from this is how resourceful Scandinavians have had to be since the Viking Age, and driving progress forward with a messy ruthlessness to catch up with their Central and Western European contemporaries. This is a great introduction into the social and political history of the region, and it looks to describe the Scandinavian mindset for those who haven't grown up in the social democracy. I feel like I have a greater understanding of Scandinavia from a social perspective now.

With most large histories, there are parts of it that didn't interest me - post 1815 really - but you can't have it all.

[Ole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this is one of the best books I’ve read, not just on history but in general, it definitely makes it into top 20.

Not only did I find the subject highly interesting, I also expected to learn something which I can use going forward (in the sense of lifelong learning), I wasn’t disappointed.

This book will serve me as a reference book when I choose what to read next, especially when it comes to the history of social democracy but also in history in general.

Could well be that in a few years time, I’ll pick it up again an re-read it.

[Cecilia Lindström · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely worth reading! I gave it a three because it was somewhat confusing to read (though kudos for adding so much info in just 400 pages) - and because of how the info was presented, I would have liked to have read it in several books.

Most interesting quote- very relevant today:

«Det forferdelige forløpet av denne krigen står for meg som et lærestykke i slik katastrofe som kan følge når menn med kalde hjerter og lite forstand har høye stillinger.»
- Veronica Wedgewood, The thirty years war, 1938 - annen utgave.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history of Scandinavia.

From the birth of Viking culture (and before) to the modern social welfare underpinned state the book is a great read. There may be a few parts where the plethora of kings passing by was too much to follow but the vast majority is full of interesting and thought provoking descriptions of ideas, events, and political currents. An excellent book to understand our Scandinavian friends.

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging history of Denmark, Sweden and Norway from the Vikings to the 21st century. The narrative is strongly shaped by the author's own views and he is quite critical of the Viking age but describes the views of other historians and writers to place his own views in context. The strongest part of the book is his account of the rise of social democracy in Scandinavia after the Second World War.

[Carola · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. All things considered, this is a pretty good history book about Scandinavia. Comprehensive and brings out the differences between the three countries quite well. A bit tedious at times (especially when just describing one king after another, which in Denmark is one Christian after another). At its best when describing what everyday life would’ve been like for most people at various times (gotta say, until very recently, it was BRUTAL, especially for women).

[Tandava Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the intertwined histories of three countries, but a large part of it was just a lot of wars that jumbled together and felt rather pointless after a while. The latter part was more interesting for how they made such a relatively rapid change to such a different type of society, and it has me interested to read Viking Economics next.

[Paige Kilian · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
I found this history somewhat disjointed. I think the author took an enormous volume of information and distilled it down a bit too far. It probably works for someone who has some fundamental knowledge of the historical figures and events of the region, but my complete lack of familiarity with the topics made it challenging for me to follow.

[Adam Weis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a decent bit and got the overall gist of the history, but also felt kind of hollow despite the apparent depth. Chronology was awkward at times, definitely hard to keep most of the individuals straight, and can't decide if the negativity until the 1900s is real or subjective. Still a good read and helped me enjoy visiting Scandyland more though.

[Stephen Greenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oddly disappointing and unprofessional

This is a disappointing and unprofessional book. There is no attempt at being impartial or balanced; the book is a poorly organized litany of personal biases. What can one say about an author who dismisses an entire nation as being “gutless?”

[Desislav Petrov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Изключително подробна книга, която проследява историята на трите скандинавски страни. Въпреки, че
в книгата проследява едновременно историята на три държави, авторът предоставя доста подробна информация за събитията, владетелите, годините и промяната в границите на скандинавските държави.

[Jorgon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and fun but problematic. He early history chapters are weak: whiggish, distorted and cherry-pick to suit a particular agenda (even if I largely agree with said agenda). Later chapters improve and the account of Scandinavian social democracy is absolutely fantastic.