ABSTRACT

The Stockholm Syndrome' is also the title of a travelogue by comedian Wyatt Cenac, which was broadcasted in the satirical news programme The Daily Show on Comedy Central in 2009. In terms of popular and consumer culture, Sweden seems to resemble the United States in many ways; just think of the shopping malls on the outskirts of the provincial cities, which Sweden had before most European countries. James W. Ceaser has pointed to the inflationary recent use of the concept 'American exceptionalism'. 'Nordic exceptionalism' is based on the assumption of a unique Scandinavian model of society. Maria Eriksson Baaz has argued that Scandinavian 'development aid' is characterized by an anti-imperialistic identity, finding expression in the frequent portrayal of Scandinavian 'aid workers' as less paternalistic and more respectful towards the recipients. Jacob Pedersen is supplying scantily clad children with a modest meal.