Ethnological Research, No. 10, 2005.
Original scientific paper
Modern European Political Food Culture: in Search of the Optimal Balance of Food and Political Factors
Richard Tellström
; Odsjek za ugostiteljska i kulinarska umijeća, Sveučilište Őrebro, S-712 60 Grythyttan, Švedska
Abstract
Meetings with other politicians, business people and NGO representatives, and the discussion of ideas on how to formulate new policies constitute a major part of politicians’ work in Europe today. Many meetings take place during meals; which may be ceremonial, but are often informal. The food served during these meals is commonly carefully selected to support the political strategy of the meeting. The dayto-day political meal, with its strong functional element, has until now been of little interest to the ethnological research tradition. The aim of this study is to analyse how a group of politicians in contemporary Sweden use meals in their daily work, how they choose food in relation to the purpose of the meeting, and what role they give the meal in political discussions and negotiations. The method used is semi-structured interviews with ten Swedish politicians; ministers and permanent secretaries (both politically appointed in Sweden).
The politicians explained how they select topics that should be discussed during the formal meeting, and which topics might better be discusse dduring the meal following the meeting. The analysis showedthat several ministers and permanent secretaries use the meal as a political tool, and that there is a perceived benefit for those who use the meal in a strategic way. The politicians’ interest in food can be seen as a reflection of post-modern society’s interest in food and meal culture.
Keywords
political meals; political food; ministers; permanent secretaries; Sweden
Hrčak ID:
37791
URI
Publication date:
5.1.2005.
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