How Denmark became Denmark: The question of state building, absolutism and anti-corruption reforms in the state of Denmark, 1660–1900

Denmark is today among the least corrupt countries in the world. Recent historical studies have documented how bureaucratic corruption in Denmark came to be curbed in the middle of the 19^th century by the absolute ruling king and his administrative set up. In an attempt to consolidate the power of the monarch after the introduction of pure absolutism in 1660 the administration was reorganized with a focus on establishing a corps of loyal civil servants. A number of initiatives were implemented in this process of state building, which have contributed to establishing the well-functioning and non-corrupt administration over time.