The Political Conceptualization of Denmark as a Green Pioneer Country

Bridging National, European, and Global Climate Governance Histories

Sustainable Seminar: Historian and PhD student at the European University Institute, Viktor Blum, will present his dissertation.

The concept of Denmark as a green “Foregangsland” [pioneer-country] has historically constituted a prominent political, ideological, and scientific battleground, in which competing visions have clashed over the concept’s validity, implications, and underlying assumptions. In this seminar, Viktor Blum will present the early stages of his research on the political conceptualization of Denmark as a green pioneer-country during the period 1987-2001.

His work historicizes the internal and external factors that shaped Denmark’s identity as a green pioneer-country, examining how this image was constructed and challenged in national and international public discourse, as well as among political actors operating at multiple levels of governance, from national NGOs to the EC/EU and UN organizations. The project explores how diverse political visions and ideologies were woven into the concept of the Danish Foregangsland, tracing their conception, circulation, and contestation in Danish and international contexts. Further, his work discusses how the dynamic interplay between Danish and European interpretations of climate pioneership shaped not only climate policy and attitudes in the EC/EU but also Denmark’s membership and relationship to European environmental integration.

Bio

Viktor Blum is a historian and first-year PhD researcher at the European University Institute (EUI). Specializing in Anthropocene histories, political history, global history, climate governance, and EU-integration history.

The event is open to all. To be included in our refreshments order, please notify Tilde Rasmussen.