The Fall of the Nation-State: What is Sweden Today?
An analysis of a people without a state – and a state without a nation
When we speak of Sweden, what do we really mean? Is it a nation united by common traditions, language, and shared history – or has it been reduced to an anonymous administrative zone, open to all peoples of the world?
In this article, I argue that Sweden as a nation-state no longer exists. This insight is crucial for us as nationalists to adapt our strategy to the reality we live in.
Is Sweden a Place?
Geographically, Sweden is a location with defined borders, but these borders have been fluid throughout history. During The Swedish Empire, Sweden encompassed parts of present-day Finland, Estonia, and areas in northern Germany. The northern parts of today's Sweden long remained outside the Swedish state's direct control and were gradually integrated during the 17th and 18th centuries. For our ancestors, loyalty to their own district, tribe, or clan was often stronger than to the idea of a larger nation.
It was only with Gustav Vasa's centralization in the 16th century and the later emergence of national romanticism in the 19th century that a modern Swedish identity began to take shape. This process involved not only geographical consolidation but also the creation of common institutions, traditions, and a self-image that bound together the country's population. The nation of Sweden became the result of a conscious project – a national construction where language, culture, and history were woven together to create a common identity.
But this national identity is not static. Just as Sweden's borders have changed throughout history, the nation's character has been reshaped by the circumstances of time. It is therefore relevant to ask: How strong is Swedish identity today, and what forces threaten or strengthen it?
Is Sweden a Nation-State?
According to Bonniers lexicon, a nation-state is defined as "a geographically defined state whose population largely shares the same origin, language, and culture." It is clear that Sweden, throughout much of its modern history, strived to be exactly this – a state where a common Swedish identity shaped both society and its institutions.
The founding of the Swedish nation-state can be traced to times of national consolidation, such as the Reformation under Gustav Vasa and the political reforms of the Enlightenment. These efforts aimed to create a strong and unified nation, where citizens shared not only language and culture but also a common vision for the future.
Today, however, this foundation has begun to crumble. The state's active decisions to prioritize multiculturalism and globalism have eroded the national community. Origin, language, and culture – the pillars that once supported Sweden's identity as a nation-state – have been weakened or entirely rejected. What we see today is a state that increasingly distances itself from its role as the bearer of a unified national identity.
Origin: According to demographic research, over 33% of Sweden's population had foreign background by 2020. In the age group 0-44 years, this figure exceeded 40%. Official statistics confirm that a majority of these individuals originate from countries and cultures radically different from Swedish culture. While some immigrants from neighboring countries may assimilate, this is not the case for many from races and cultures with significant differences from our own.
Culture: Swedish culture is actively undermined by political decisions that advocate multiculturalism and prioritize integration over assimilation. This means we no longer share a common culture in Sweden.
Language: While Swedish remains the strongest national factor, it is challenged by rapidly growing minority languages. Many municipalities report that languages other than Swedish dominate in certain areas.
Without a common origin, culture, and unifying language, the state loses its fundamental ability to function as a nation-state. Instead, it becomes an arena for conflict, where different groups fight for their own interests rather than the common good.
What is Sweden?
Sweden today is, more than anything, an idea – a vision of a community built on a common origin, language, and culture. But this idea is under attack, not only from globalist forces but also from individuals who see no value in Swedishness.
Understanding this is crucial for building nationalism adapted to our time. We can no longer rely on notions from an era when most people lived their entire lives within a few miles of their birthplace. Today, the world is smaller – people travel, communicate, and work globally. This requires nationalism rooted in our reality and offering security in a world where the foreign is constantly present.
Practical Nationalism
Nationalism for the 21st century must be both pragmatic and long-term. It's not about chasing short-term electoral results or approaching utopian ideas about a quick revolution. Instead, we as nationalists must regroup and start building where we stand – step by step, community by community.
In this work, Det fria Sverige (Free Sweden) stands today as the standard-bearer for practical nationalism that focuses on creating something real and sustainable for the future. Since the organization's launch in late 2017, it has independently shown what is possible to achieve with limited resources but strong will and determination. In just seven years, thousands of Swedes have engaged in its activities. Two Svenskarnas hus (Houses of the Swedes) have opened – places where Swedish identity can flourish culturally, socially, and politically. The organization has arranged hundreds of political and cultural gatherings, published books and magazines, and created a platform for artists and musicians to share their work.
Free Sweden has also been an active voice for Swedes in public debate, all without receiving a single penny in public funding. This achievement is remarkable and shows that it is possible to build an alternative community, even in a society where resources are unevenly distributed, and the establishment actively works against Swedes' right to organize.
Imagine what we could accomplish if more people chose to join this work. If more gave their support, both through engagement and financial contributions, we could realize even more projects and create stronger communities across the country. The vision of a new Swedish renaissance begins with us – with our will to build a future where Swedishness can once again be a force to be reckoned with.
Practical nationalism isn't just an idea – it's a strategy for creating real change, not in a hundred years, but here and now.
The Future for Sweden
While Sweden as a nation-state may be dead, the nation of Sweden lives on. It lives in our hearts, in our culture, and in our history – and in the vision we carry for the future.
Building a new Sweden requires more than just remembering the past. It requires action, patience, and the will to create something lasting. We stand at a crossroads: to passively accept division or to actively choose community. Through Free Sweden, we already see today the beginning of a renaissance – a rebirth of Swedish identity that can become the foundation for tomorrow's strong communities.
The future belongs to those who act, who dare to stand up for their ideals, and who invest in their people. By building community, protecting our culture, and supporting initiatives that strengthen Swedishness, we create a future where our children and grandchildren can live free, proud, and strong.
It is no longer a question of whether we can succeed – it is a question of whether you are ready to be part of the solution. The time to begin is now. The choice is yours. The future is Swedish.
Note: This article was originally published in Swedish for the organization Det fria Sverige (Free Sweden), of which I have been chairman since its founding in 2017.
The third-worldification of Europe will force ethnic Europeans to adapt both practically - to an existence without the support of a state and instead relying on parallel institutions - and ideologically - through the gradual shift in personal identity away from the artificial "nationalities" tied to -states, in favour of actual ethnic identities that have (in many cases) been repressed during the XIX and XX centuries.
You neglected to mention the single-most important unifier which underlies the "common origin, language, culture" - race. Sweden was created by Swedish people for Swedish people - who are White. They are Native European. While other Native Europeans may join and even assimilate to an extent to Swedish people and culture as, for example, Danes and Germans and Dutch are all brothers - Sub-Saharans and Afghanis and Semites and Koreans and Pakistanis, Colombians and Amazonians cannot and will not "assimilate." They have their own peoples, their own histories, their own in-group preferences, cultures, and ideologies - which have largely heritable components - and do not need to squat in Sweden among Swedes. Neglecting to name the elephant in the room - race - does a disservice to the gravity of the situation all Native Europeans find themselves within Europe and within the European diaspora.
Swim or die. *Swimming entails naming a thing first and foremost. I'd add, of course there are genetic battles and tribal preferences within racial groups as well as outside of them. At this juncture and hour, however, it would behoove all Whites everywhere to recognize individuals do not exist - anywhere - in Nature, and to factionalize is not within our best interest at this time. White unity - always.