Disciplinary Precursors and Burgeoning Interest

Abstract

Sociology was first institutionalized in Sweden with the creation of achair at Gothenburg University College, held by evolutionary sociologistand economist Gustaf Steffen between 1903 and 1929. Although thediscipline lost its institutional foothold when Steffen died, interestin sociology continued to grow in both academic and political circles.In the 193os, sociology was viewed as a boon to modern Sweden. Rapidsocial development - the basis for the notion that Sweden might functionas a laboratory for the social sciences actualized issues that sociologyseemed best equipped to answer, and the discipline became closelyassociated with Social Democratic ideals.