kulturbegrepet

kulturbegrepet refers to the conceptualization of “culture” as a set of shared meanings, practices, and symbols that characterize a group or society. The word derives from the Latin root “cultura,” meaning cultivation, and was adopted in Scandinavian languages in the 19th century. Initially used in anthropology and sociology, it was intended to distinguish internal forms of social life from external economic structures.

In contemporary social science, kulturbegrepet serves as a analytical lens to examine how values, rituals, language, art, and institutions are reproduced and contested. Scholars employ it in studies of identity, nationalism, and globalization. Within Norway, the term features prominently in debates over multicultural policy and the preservation of linguistic minorities. It is also employed in the context of digital culture, where the boundaries of tradition and innovation are increasingly fluid.

Critics argue that the concept can be overly broad or vague, obscuring material conditions that influence social dynamics. Others caution against universalizing the notion of culture, noting that it may impose Western epistemological categories onto diverse societies. In response, many contemporary works emphasize a relational view, seeing culture as constantly negotiated rather than fixed. This reflexive approach aligns with the broader trend in social sciences toward intersectionality and postcolonial critique, acknowledging that cultural meanings are embedded in power relations, historical processes, and economic structures.