Universities, Research and Politics in Historical Perspective

Abstract

As I put my mind to the theme I was asked to develop, I was reminded of a character in August Strindberg’s classical novel The Red Room, published in 1879. He was chairman of some kind of workers’ association, and on one occasion an artist offered to give a lecture “On Sweden.” The chairman had obviously some misgivings. When introducing the speaker he said that the subject seemed to be “något stort” somewhat extensive. It is easy to agree with him, when looking at the topic “Universities, Research and Politics in Historical Perspective.” I can only hope that the outcome will not be as disastrous as in the novel. At least I can promise you that I will not even try to provoke my audience as Olle Montanus did in Strindberg’s novel. But you will also have to excuse me, if Sweden gets too much attention in my historical perspective.