Försvarspolitisk frigörelse från det kalla kriget : – En analys av Sveriges försvars- och säkerhetspolitik från kalla kriget till idag

Sammanfattning: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze accounts of presented narratives in defense bills and any changes to them over time regarding Sweden's defense. Design / Method: A descriptive study was designed. The data material for the study's background consists of quantitative data, taken from public sources regarding population statistics, GDP in SEK (billions) and in percent, inflation and consumer price index, which have been analyzed and interpreted regarding similarities in values. The study's main data is taken from nine defense bills from the year 1986 until 2021. This data have been analyzed by close reading and after a qualitative analysis was performed on the collected data material. Findings: (Background). Sweden's defense spending in relation to GDP has fallen continuously. In particular, a large reduction can be noted from 1990 onwards from 2.6% to 1.3% in 2020. A change in the security policy situation after 1989 can also be seen in the changes to defense spending. Changes can also be seen after 2014, when defense spending increased sharply.  (Foreground-Figure). The analysis of narratives in the defense bills shows: (i) a narrative of a total defense (including military and civilian) regardless of a decline or rise in defense spending, (ii) the narrative of external events that affect defense policy, political behavior and decisions (iii) the narrative of threats against Sweden and of non-threats, and (iv) the narrative of the national identity as neutral and militarily non-aligned despite having a defensive alliance in practice. Conclusions: The thematic map of narratives in defense bills shows that accounts about current security and defense policy contain an ambiguity between the narratives about security policy on the one hand and the practical exercise of defense policy, on the other. This is probably due to an ideological view of security policy and to a collective self-image of neutrality and non-alignment, and being a clear voice for human rights, freedom and democracy in all parts of the world, rather than taking an actual pragmatic defense view. This pattern is found throughout the defense bills and expresses a kind of elitist perspective on one's own security policy stance. The study thus suggests that the narrative about the national self-image of neutrality is about the specific common experience and history from the 1940s to today and which has been communicated as specifically Swedish. This self-image appears as a foundation of Swedish security policy.  With regard to defense costs, it can be stated that when no perceived impending military threat in the immediate area, defense spending is reduced.