Suffrage, Capital, and Welfare

"This book makes an important and original contribution to the historical and contemporary study of suffrage and citizenship through examining voting exclusions across Scandinavia, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, and India; before, during, and after the passage of universal suffrage. Bringing a fresh perspective to a key topic, this book will be of interest to scholars working on democracy, democratisation, elections, voting, citizenship, suffrage, and the politics of class, gender, and race in these countries and more generally." — Henry Miller, Northumbria University, UK This open access book examines disenfranchisement and voting barriers in ten self-governing and aspiring liberal democracies worldwide, before and after the introduction of so-called universal suffrage. Focusing on economic voting restrictions implemented through constitutional provisions and laws, it explores the various disqualifications that prevent people from voting. The notions of economic independence underpinning these restrictions have built and reinforced societal structures and power relations, particularly concerning class, gender, race, civil status, age, and education. Historically, voting rights have been celebrated as a symbol of inclusivity and equal citizenship. Yet, as contributors in this collection highlight, recent centennial celebrations of universal suffrage often depict it as a distinct milestone, overshadowing the voting restrictions that persisted post women’s suffrage. As democracy now faces new, concerted challenges, there is a compelling reason to revisit and question the narrative of the progression of democratic ideals. Fia Cottrell-Sundevall is Associate Professor of Economic History at Stockholm University, Sweden. Her research addresses issues of labour, gender, political rights, and military obligations in Sweden. Ragnheiður Kristjánsdóttir is Professor of History at the University of Iceland. She is the editor of the Scandinavian Journal of History, and has published works on nationalism, democracy, the politics of the left, and gender.