NATO VÅR NYA VÄN En beskrivande studie om Sveriges socialisering med Nato under den postneutrala-eran

Abstract

In this study the theory of state socialisation is used to describe how norms of international poles defuse to small states, which are trying to adopt their foreign policy, in an attempt becoming members of the pole. The pole has the most influence over the small state in the position, as an almost member. Sweden’s security strategy is changing from hiding to shelter seeking during the postnuteral-era and Sweden are therefore expected to socialise with Nato. Creating a new dataset and mapping the changes in Swedish foreign policy between 2003- 2021, in three aspects central to the Swedish relation to Nato: (1) joint military exercises, (2) official visits and (3) arms sale from Sweden, this study shows that there is an indication of a Swedish socialisation to Nato. First Sweden was socialising and cooperating with individual Nato members then included to cooperate with the organisation. The results highlights the importance of the “Enhanced Opportunities Partners” deal for the socialisation with Nato, after which the socialisation process is accelerating. There is a socialization process between Sweden and Nato in defence- and security-policy which is indicated by the results of the joint military exercises and official visits indicators, however there is no such indication in the general foreign policy.