http://uu.diva-portal.org This is a submitted version of a paper presented at NOREL Seminar, September 24 - October 1, 2011, Lesbos. Citation for the published paper: Lindberg, Jonas ”The relationship between religion and politics, as reflected in party platforms in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden 1988-2008” The relationship between religion and politics, as reflected in party platforms in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden 1988-2008 By PhD student jonas lindberg, Uppsala university, Sweden
[email protected] Abstract As part of the work on my dissertation on religion and politics in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden I examine the party platforms from all parliamentary parties in these countries from 1988, 1998 and 2008 or ones that are as close to those years as possible. In my paper I try to show an overall change from a more or less mono- religious political discourse to a more multi-religious one. But I will also try to point to differences between these Nordic countries in that respect. I will also try to map what kinds of secularism that are being expressed within these platforms and how religion is being portrayed as a positive resource respectively as a (potential) problem. Introduction As part of the work on my dissertation thesis Religion and politics. An empirical study and analysis of the political parties and their policies on religion in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden 1988-2008 I here would like to present a first look at what might be found on religion in one of my main empirical sources, namely party platforms.