Constructing Context

Swedish Press Debates on Historiography and Society, 1950–2000

Abstract

This article examines how historians positioned themselves within academia and society, as reflected in Swedish press debates about historical research during the second half of the twentieth century. Focusing on debates from 1950, 1978, 1993, and 1999, the study explores the evolving relationship between the humanities and the social sciences, as well as the tensions between academic and popular history. Drawing on concepts of contextualisation, it examines how historians articulated the societal relevance of their discipline. Through a close examination of press material, the study shows that historians consistently balanced scientific rigour with the need to engage a wider audience. While popular history gained prominence in the 1990s, its roots extend back to the post-war period. The findings also demonstrate how the increasing influence of social scientific methods placed the humanities in a more defensive position. The article underscores the importance of distinguishing between historical actors’ self-understandings and historians’ contextualisations, warning that overreliance on the former can obscure broader historical dynamics. This research provides insights into the public discourse that has shaped the discipline, reflecting the shifting boundaries and ongoing challenges faced by historians.