Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the public opinion on security policy issues in three post-neutral EU member states after the end of the Cold War. In spite of the changed security policy circumstances for Swedish foreign policy after the end of the Cold War, in spite of the EU membership and although that Swedish foreign policy decision makers no more use the term ?neutrality policy? as a label for Swedish foreign policy, neutrality and non-alignment still have a strong support in Swedish public opinion. The same pattern seems to exist among other EU military nonaligned member states, as Austria and Finland. How shall we understand and explain the strong public opinion support for neutrality and non-alignment among EU military nonaligned member states? By the use of historical institutionalism the following hypotheses are formulated and tested: a) there is a connection between whether a state?s neutrality after the World War II was enforced or voluntary, and public opinion on security policy issues after the end of the Cold War; b) there is a connection between whether a state?s neutrality after the World War II was formalized or not, and public opinion on security policy issues after the end of the Cold War. c) there is a connection between to which degree a state continue its policy of military non-alignment and the public opinion on security policy issues after the end of the Cold War; d) there is a connection between a state?s entrance to the EU and the public opinion on security policy issues.The material used in the study is opinion polls and policy documents concerning the states? official position on the issue of neutrality, relations with the Nato and a common European defense.Altogether, the answers on these questions will contribute to a better knowledge of the significance of EU membership on security policy choices and to the development of public opinion on security policy issues. The results will also indicate the usefulness of historical institutionalism as an explaining theory in international politics, and the conditions for building a common foreign- and security policy inside the European Union.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper will analyse the military policies and doctrines of European neutral and non-aligned states - which are Austria, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland - in post Cold War Europe. Firstly, this paper will define the characteristics of their Cold War security strategy which was based on the policy of armed neutrality. Then, this paper will argue that the core element of Cold War armed neutrality which was based on the rejection of military power projection has been abandoned by Sweden, Finland and Austria after the Cold War. Indeed, these states have increasingly committed themselves to take part to peace support operations and have reformed their armed forces accordingly. To prove my case, I will look at their contributions in peace operations of the 1990s. On the other hand, the Swiss armed forces' primary mission has shifted from territorial defence to subsidiary assistance to civilian authorities. This paper will then explain the differences in the military and doctrinal adaptations by focusing on the influence of both a neutral strategic culture and the European security institutions that are the EU and NATO Partnership for Peace. This paper will then conclude by highlighting the contribution of these countries to the European Security and Defence Policy and particularly to the European Rapid Reaction Force and to the Petersberg missions.