Frihet under ansvar? : En studie av åren med motboken och kvinnors rättigheter 1919-1955

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the economic-historical development of the Swedish restriction system against alcohol abuse. It has been of interest to examine how it was designed and then implemented during the period of 1919–1955. The study includes a discussion on how the restrictions affected women's opportunities to acquire alcohol, based on gender norms. Therefore, the thesis has been strengthened by a gender-based analysis. The material that has been studied for the purpose is real decisions by the government for men and women who have applied for the right of purchasing alcohol. This paper has found that men were more often granted their applications, and because women had more difficult conditions. The reason seems to be that gender norms ruled higher than the formal rights. Key words: economic history, gender, alcohol, restriction syste