Faculty Advisor
Symeon Giannakos, Chad Raymond, Charles D. Lane
Abstract
This dissertation examines Sweden’s political discourse on NATO membership following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While Sweden had long cooperated with NATO, a broad political consensus historically favored neutrality/non-alignment to maintain the country’s role as an impartial peace mediator. Right-leaning parties generally supported closer NATO ties, whereas left-leaning parties opposed membership, citing over 200 years of peace. Yet even conservative leaders like former Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt cautioned that joining NATO could escalate tensions. Russia’s invasion prompted a reassessment of Sweden’s security policy and ignited intense debate. Party positions were shaped by security concerns, ideological traditions, and domestic politics. Some framed NATO membership as vital for national defense, while others viewed non-alignment in peacetime as a way to preserve strategic flexibility, avoid provoking Russia, and uphold neutrality in the event of war. The securitization of Russia’s actions, shifts in European defense dynamics, and changing public opinion further influenced party narratives. This study evaluates whether the discourse reflected a genuine response to emerging security threats or served primarily to rationalize unfounded and exaggerated fears of Russian aggression. It highlights the interplay between security interests, civic identity, and political rhetoric in shaping major foreign policy choices. The findings indicate that Finland’s decision to join NATO was the pivotal factor in Sweden’s commitment to follow. In so doing, Sweden redefined rather than abandoned its peace-oriented image.
Recommended Citation
Sprague, Martina, "National Security and Statecraft: A Case Study of Sweden's Political Discourse Surrounding the Civilian-Military Geostrategic Nexus and the Application for Membership in NATO" (2026). Ph.D. Dissertations (Open Access). 11.
https://digitalcommons.salve.edu/phd_dissertations/11
Use of AI Statement
AI tools were used for organizing bibliography alphabetically, and for minor stylistic editing to improve conciseness. All arguments and interpretations are the author’s own.
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