Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Ny omvärld – Nytt försvar: En kvalitativ studie om hur Försvarsmakten har (re)konstruerat sin identitet till följd av Ukrainas invasion

Kheder, Lea LU (2025) STVK04 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract (Swedish)
Following Russia´s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Sweden made the historic decision to
abandon its more than 200-year long policy of neutrality by applying for a membership in the military alliance (NATO). This shift marked a significant reconstruction of the Swedish Armed Forces. Although the Swedish Armed Forces have long been recognized as one of the most gender-equal military organizations, this change raises critical questions about how gendered ideals and identities are affected within this changing military discourse. The aim of the study is to examine how the Swedish Armed Forces have shaped their
identity in the wake of the invasion. This will be pursued specifically by identifying and analyzing discourses that reflect... (More)
Following Russia´s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Sweden made the historic decision to
abandon its more than 200-year long policy of neutrality by applying for a membership in the military alliance (NATO). This shift marked a significant reconstruction of the Swedish Armed Forces. Although the Swedish Armed Forces have long been recognized as one of the most gender-equal military organizations, this change raises critical questions about how gendered ideals and identities are affected within this changing military discourse. The aim of the study is to examine how the Swedish Armed Forces have shaped their
identity in the wake of the invasion. This will be pursued specifically by identifying and analyzing discourses that reflect masculinity norms within the Swedish Armed Forces. To theorize and identify masculinity norms, theories by Raewyn Connell and Cynthia Enloe, among others, have been used. Employing a qualitative approach within a critical discourse
methodology, the results are then observed through various aspects of identity and power. Empirical material consists of publications on the Swedish Armed Forces' official website including annual reports covering the years 2020 to 2024.
The results identify a discursive shift from hegemonic practices of masculinity
towards more pronounced military ideals with a potential process of militarization. An indication of a shift in the national identity is also presented in the conclusions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Kheder, Lea LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK04 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Försvarsmakten, kritisk diskursanalys, hegemonisk maskulinitet, militärisk maskulinitet, identitet, militarism
language
Swedish
id
9210249
date added to LUP
2025-09-10 15:55:44
date last changed
2025-09-10 15:55:44
@misc{9210249,
  abstract     = {{Following Russia´s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Sweden made the historic decision to 
abandon its more than 200-year long policy of neutrality by applying for a membership in the military alliance (NATO). This shift marked a significant reconstruction of the Swedish Armed Forces. Although the Swedish Armed Forces have long been recognized as one of the most gender-equal military organizations, this change raises critical questions about how gendered ideals and identities are affected within this changing military discourse. The aim of the study is to examine how the Swedish Armed Forces have shaped their 
identity in the wake of the invasion. This will be pursued specifically by identifying and analyzing discourses that reflect masculinity norms within the Swedish Armed Forces. To theorize and identify masculinity norms, theories by Raewyn Connell and Cynthia Enloe, among others, have been used. Employing a qualitative approach within a critical discourse 
methodology, the results are then observed through various aspects of identity and power. Empirical material consists of publications on the Swedish Armed Forces' official website including annual reports covering the years 2020 to 2024. 
The results identify a discursive shift from hegemonic practices of masculinity 
towards more pronounced military ideals with a potential process of militarization. An indication of a shift in the national identity is also presented in the conclusions.}},
  author       = {{Kheder, Lea}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Ny omvärld – Nytt försvar: En kvalitativ studie om hur Försvarsmakten har (re)konstruerat sin identitet till följd av Ukrainas invasion}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}