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Vapen för fred? Sveriges vapenexport till auktoritära stater och självbilden som humanitär stormakt

Roble, Madina LU (2025) STVK04 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
The Swedish arms export legislation was tightened in 2018, with a particular focus on imposing stricter requirements on recipient countries to demonstrate respect for human rights and democracy. Despite this, annual reports from the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) show that Sweden continues to export military equipment to countries that do not meet the new legal standards. While arms exports to undemocratic states that violate human rights persist, Sweden maintains a self-image as a humanitarian superpower. How do Swedish state actors justify this, and how does it align with that self-perception? This study applies two theoretical frameworks: Johan Matz’s theory of three traditions in arms export policy, and a theory on... (More)
The Swedish arms export legislation was tightened in 2018, with a particular focus on imposing stricter requirements on recipient countries to demonstrate respect for human rights and democracy. Despite this, annual reports from the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) show that Sweden continues to export military equipment to countries that do not meet the new legal standards. While arms exports to undemocratic states that violate human rights persist, Sweden maintains a self-image as a humanitarian superpower. How do Swedish state actors justify this, and how does it align with that self-perception? This study applies two theoretical frameworks: Johan Matz’s theory of three traditions in arms export policy, and a theory on legitimation and delegitimation. Through a qualitative analysis of
ideas, the study examines the arguments presented in public documents. The conclusion is that state actors often justify arms exports to authoritarian regimes by emphasizing economic interests, security concerns, and the legal exemption for follow-on deliveries. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Roble, Madina LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK04 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Vapenexport, humanitär stormakt, legitimering, följdleveranser, försvarsindustri, Sverige
language
Swedish
id
9189679
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 11:09:02
date last changed
2025-08-08 11:09:02
@misc{9189679,
  abstract     = {{The Swedish arms export legislation was tightened in 2018, with a particular focus on imposing stricter requirements on recipient countries to demonstrate respect for human rights and democracy. Despite this, annual reports from the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) show that Sweden continues to export military equipment to countries that do not meet the new legal standards. While arms exports to undemocratic states that violate human rights persist, Sweden maintains a self-image as a humanitarian superpower. How do Swedish state actors justify this, and how does it align with that self-perception? This study applies two theoretical frameworks: Johan Matz’s theory of three traditions in arms export policy, and a theory on legitimation and delegitimation. Through a qualitative analysis of 
ideas, the study examines the arguments presented in public documents. The conclusion is that state actors often justify arms exports to authoritarian regimes by emphasizing economic interests, security concerns, and the legal exemption for follow-on deliveries.}},
  author       = {{Roble, Madina}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Vapen för fred? Sveriges vapenexport till auktoritära stater och självbilden som humanitär stormakt}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}