This overview has examined the research situation regarding the historical concept: use of history and the factors that weigh heavily are the concept's definition, categorization and function. Since the use of history is part of de-facto governing documents on the subject of history in Sweden. This makes this subject particularly interesting to examine and how the research situation treats the concept. Great thinkers like Friedrich Nietzsche coined the term use of history early on, which has produced its own interpretation and perspective of how people relate and use history in different contexts. The definition of the concept is thus given different emphasis by different researchers, who believe that history can be categorized into typologies. But there are also other approaches to the use of history, which often means that history is used to achieve a future purpose. The question of whether there is a correct way to use the past is a further current question in the discourse. The use or abuse of history is therefore caught in the eye in some discussions. Although a broad consensus of scholars shows that history has a real effect here and now and interacts with the present, whether one wishes so or not.