Description
Sweden has historically been viewed as a neutral nation to remain beyond the reach of its more powerful neighbours. Although Sweden has avoided war for over two hundred years, its neutral status is frequently questioned. It is argued in this thesis that Sweden's non-official standing involves military cooperation and partnership with western nations and NATO member states, providing it with more safety than its public status as a neutral nation. This thesis provides a history of Sweden's stance on neutrality from the late 19th century until the end of the Cold War. As early as World War II, Sweden adopted several terms to describe itself as neutral but ready to act should the Soviets threaten the country. In 1991, Russia was less of a concern to Sweden and its allies, but under Vladimir Putin's leadership, Russia has come to the forefront of NATO's security concerns. Sweden's support for membership in NATO reached its highest point in 2022. With the recent invasion of Ukraine, why did Sweden maintain its neutrality for so long until its recent NATO application? As a non-NATO nation, they have taken every measure possible to protect its borders and militaries just short of joining NATO. According to how it prepares for Russian aggression, one might think Sweden was a member of NATO long ago. In this thesis, I attempt to clarify Sweden's perception of itself as a peaceful state constructed over generations by its leaders and politicians that spread to its citizens.
