Examining the Imperial Game: A Critical Evaluation of Bureaucratization in the Danish Empire, 1770-1900

Abstract

The research paper compares the martial strategies of formidable powers, such as the British and Spanish empires, with those of the Danish Empire, which relied on bureaucracy as its main form of power. It shows how Denmark kept control over the European colonial territories such as Greenland, Iceland, and the Danish West Indies that were located across large distances despite having a small size and limited resources through the nomination of an efficient record-keeping mechanism, the establishment of a sound tax system, and efficient centralized administrative structures. According to Weber's bureaucratic theory and historical institutionalism, this paper assesses reforms conducted during absolutism in Denmark, where concerns were placed on meritocracy, accountability, and professional bureaucracy. These actions impacted contemporary Scandinavian government structures, evident in their openness and notable lack of corruption. Additionally, they contributed to imperial stability. The research paper elaborates on the effectiveness of the Danish model, identifying areas where future studies are still pending, and suggesting how bureaucratic governance impacted colonial societies and how centralised systems at that time can work in the face of geographical differences. These topics address the centrality of administrative effectiveness in historical and contemporary governance systems.

Keywords: Danish Empire, bureaucracy, governance, meritocracy, imperial administration, Scandinavian governance.