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Mellan säkerhet, handel och etik: En jämförande analys av Sveriges förhållningssätt gentemot Iran och Saudiarabien

Rodman, Fabian LU (2025) FKVK02 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
Sweden has long cultivated an international identity as a “moral authority” by
promoting democracy, international law and human rights. However, its foreign
policy toward authoritarian regimes has shown inconsistencies with these core
values. This thesis investigates this discrepancy through a comparative case study
of Sweden’s bilateral relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia. These two countries
share considerable similarities in terms of government, human rights abuse and
regional influence. Despite this, Sweden frames the relation with Saudi Arabia as a
strategic partnership while Iran is described as a security threat. By analysing
statements from Swedish politicians, the study aims to understand how three central
... (More)
Sweden has long cultivated an international identity as a “moral authority” by
promoting democracy, international law and human rights. However, its foreign
policy toward authoritarian regimes has shown inconsistencies with these core
values. This thesis investigates this discrepancy through a comparative case study
of Sweden’s bilateral relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia. These two countries
share considerable similarities in terms of government, human rights abuse and
regional influence. Despite this, Sweden frames the relation with Saudi Arabia as a
strategic partnership while Iran is described as a security threat. By analysing
statements from Swedish politicians, the study aims to understand how three central
foreign policy priorities; national security, trade and human rights, shapes Sweden’s
approach to each country. The comparative analysis reveals that while both
countries threaten Swedish national security and undermine human rights, trade
considerations carry the most weight in shaping bilateral relations. When trade is
threatened with either party, Swedish politicians become more reluctant to
acknowledge national security threats or criticise human rights abuses stemming
from either nation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Rodman, Fabian LU
supervisor
organization
course
FKVK02 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Svensk utrikespolitik, Iran, Saudiarabien, nationell säkerhet, handel, mänskliga rättigheter
language
Swedish
id
9210196
date added to LUP
2025-09-10 15:45:10
date last changed
2025-09-10 15:45:10
@misc{9210196,
  abstract     = {{Sweden has long cultivated an international identity as a “moral authority” by 
promoting democracy, international law and human rights. However, its foreign 
policy toward authoritarian regimes has shown inconsistencies with these core 
values. This thesis investigates this discrepancy through a comparative case study 
of Sweden’s bilateral relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia. These two countries 
share considerable similarities in terms of government, human rights abuse and 
regional influence. Despite this, Sweden frames the relation with Saudi Arabia as a 
strategic partnership while Iran is described as a security threat. By analysing 
statements from Swedish politicians, the study aims to understand how three central 
foreign policy priorities; national security, trade and human rights, shapes Sweden’s 
approach to each country. The comparative analysis reveals that while both 
countries threaten Swedish national security and undermine human rights, trade 
considerations carry the most weight in shaping bilateral relations. When trade is 
threatened with either party, Swedish politicians become more reluctant to 
acknowledge national security threats or criticise human rights abuses stemming 
from either nation.}},
  author       = {{Rodman, Fabian}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Mellan säkerhet, handel och etik: En jämförande analys av Sveriges förhållningssätt gentemot Iran och Saudiarabien}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}