Lapps, Finns, Gypsies, Jews and Idiots: Modernity and the Use of Historical Categories in Sweden

This article explores categories used in Swedish population statistics to gain insight into how the choice of these categories became a part of social developments and how "modernity" has helped shape statistical data collection. While the earliest statistics were mainly concerned with demographic variables, the early interest in those not belonging to the state church later developed into an interest in singling out groups such as the Saami, Finns, gypsies, Jews and the mentally deficient. The arguments used in defining these categories and determining who should be included reveal motivations ranging from economics to race. The shifts in argumentation and use of terminology over time suggest the scope of the impact of the modern project. These categories formed an integral part of the means used to reach the goals of what was defined as modern society.