Fróðskaparrit - 01.01.1989, Page 23

TJÓÐSKAPARRØRSLA SUM SØGULIGT FYRIBRIGDI
27
Summary
The preceeding article has been presented
as an attempt at giving an outline of the
development af nationalism as an inter-
national historical phenomenon and as a
subject of historical research, illustrated by
references to international scientific ap-
proaches and results. (Up to 1986 when it
was concluded. The author has later dealt
with the subject in other editions). Secondly,
an effort has been made to place the Faroese
nationalist „example“ in a larger historical
context, trying to make out what might have
been unique and what can be considered
general in the Faroese development.
It is important for the author to point out,
as shown in the Faroese example, that it is
difficult to present and to give reasons for
universal models for the preconditions, the
development, the organisation and the ulti-
mate political outcome of a nationalist
rising. The question is also put whether the
forming of a state is always the logical
conclusion of the awakening of a national
sentiment in an ethnic group. In the Faroese
example no Faroese never doubted his
ethnicity and nationality.
But the outcome of the nationalist move-
ment, organized in 1881 among Faroese
students in Copenhagen and in 1889 in a
massive movement in the Faroe Islands, did
not result in the establishing of an inde-
pendent Faroese state. Even if there was an
electioral majority for th^t solution in a
plebiscite in 1946, two years later another
electoral majority accepted a political status
for the Faroe Islands as „a self-governing
community within the Kingdom of Den-
mark“. This is still the outer constitutional
status of the Faroe Islands, although a
tendency towards extended self-government
is evident.
Hans Jacob Debes
Fróðskaparsetur Føroya
Søguvísindadeildin
Dvørgastígi 1
FR-100 Tórshavn