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Den svenska paradoxen: lika delar humanitär hjälte som osolidarisk krigsfrämjare?

Bergqvist, Clara LU (2024) STVK04 20241
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This thesis investigates Sweden’s foreign policy roles concerning aid and weapon exports from 2015 to 2023, using Yemen as a central example to illustrate a Swedish paradox. Despite significant Swedish weapon sales to conflict-afflicted nations, Sweden maintains substantial aid contributions to these same countries. Employing a scientific methodology, this study conducts a case study utilizing qualitative content analysis of Swedish foreign declarations from 2015 to 2023, supplemented by quantitative analysis of arms exports and aid data. Role theory serves as the analytical framework, delineating three distinct roles: solidary standard entrepreneur, liberal advocate, and defender of national interests. The findings indicate a decrease in... (More)
This thesis investigates Sweden’s foreign policy roles concerning aid and weapon exports from 2015 to 2023, using Yemen as a central example to illustrate a Swedish paradox. Despite significant Swedish weapon sales to conflict-afflicted nations, Sweden maintains substantial aid contributions to these same countries. Employing a scientific methodology, this study conducts a case study utilizing qualitative content analysis of Swedish foreign declarations from 2015 to 2023, supplemented by quantitative analysis of arms exports and aid data. Role theory serves as the analytical framework, delineating three distinct roles: solidary standard entrepreneur, liberal advocate, and defender of national interests. The findings indicate a decrease in Swedish aid coupled with an increase in the export of Swedish weapons. Additionally, the foreign policy declarations have prominently shifted towards national interests, aligning more closely with the role of defender of national interests. This shift engenders role conflict, as Sweden navigates between its established international reputation as a humanitarian leader and its growing emphasis on national interests, influenced in part by emerging security threats. Consequently, this tension risks tarnishing Sweden’s humanitarian image, potentially transforming it from a humanitarian hero to a perceived promotor of conflict. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Bergqvist, Clara LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
En fallstudie om Sveriges utrikespolitiska roller relaterat till bistånd och vapenexport under åren 2015-2023
course
STVK04 20241
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Nyckelord: Rollteori, bistånd, vapenexport, utrikespolitik, säkerhetspolitik, biståndspolitik, handelspolitik, Jemen, fallstudie, kvalitativ innehållsanalys, mixed methods, beteendemönster, utrikespolitiska roller
language
Swedish
id
9152280
date added to LUP
2024-07-18 11:06:35
date last changed
2024-07-18 11:06:35
@misc{9152280,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates Sweden’s foreign policy roles concerning aid and weapon exports from 2015 to 2023, using Yemen as a central example to illustrate a Swedish paradox. Despite significant Swedish weapon sales to conflict-afflicted nations, Sweden maintains substantial aid contributions to these same countries. Employing a scientific methodology, this study conducts a case study utilizing qualitative content analysis of Swedish foreign declarations from 2015 to 2023, supplemented by quantitative analysis of arms exports and aid data. Role theory serves as the analytical framework, delineating three distinct roles: solidary standard entrepreneur, liberal advocate, and defender of national interests. The findings indicate a decrease in Swedish aid coupled with an increase in the export of Swedish weapons. Additionally, the foreign policy declarations have prominently shifted towards national interests, aligning more closely with the role of defender of national interests. This shift engenders role conflict, as Sweden navigates between its established international reputation as a humanitarian leader and its growing emphasis on national interests, influenced in part by emerging security threats. Consequently, this tension risks tarnishing Sweden’s humanitarian image, potentially transforming it from a humanitarian hero to a perceived promotor of conflict.}},
  author       = {{Bergqvist, Clara}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Den svenska paradoxen: lika delar humanitär hjälte som osolidarisk krigsfrämjare?}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}