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Since 1814 Sweden has avoided involvement in armed conflicts and carried out policies of non-alignment in peacetime and neutrality during war. Even though the Swedish government often describes Sweden as a ‘nation of peace’, in 2004 the 200-year anniversary of that peace passed by with barely any attention. Despite its extraordinary longevity, research about the Swedish experience of enduring peace is underdeveloped. 200 Years of Peace places this long period of peace in broader academic and public discussions surrounding claimed Swedish exceptionality as it is represented in the nation’s social policies, expansive welfare state, eugenics, gender equality programs, and peace.
“This generous collection of essays portrays salient aspects of Sweden’s policy of neutrality throughout the last 200 years. A truly stimulating read including splendid and sometimes thought-provoking interpretations. The book deserves international attention.” • Rasmus Mariager, University of Copenhagen
“This is an interesting volume that (1) provides a clear survey of official (governmental) Swedish foreign policy since 1814 and (2) introduces readers to new perspectives that focus on aspects of ‘public diplomacy’ – diplomacy or elements of international relations that may or may not have had influence on official state policies. The scholarship in the book is excellent and reflects deep dives into neglected topics and neglected sources.” • Byron Nordstrom, Gustavus Adolphus College
Nevra Biltekin has a PhD in history from Stockholm University. She has been affiliated with the Northern European Studies Institute at Humboldt University–Berlin, and the Hans Blix Center for the History of International Relations at Stockholm University. Her research has focused on unofficial diplomacy and gender in transnational relations during the 20th century.
Introduction: Pax Suecia 1814–2020
Nevra Biltekin, Leos Müller & Magnus Petersson
Chapter 1. ‘Long Peace’, Neutrality and Sweden-Norway’s Foreign Policy, 1794–1856
Leos Müller
Chapter 2. How Small States Manage to Stay Out of Wars: Explaining Sweden’s 200 Years of Peace
Jacob Westberg
Chapter 3. Swedish Peace Movements and the Breakup of the Forced Union Between Sweden and Norway in 1905
Fredrik Egefur
Chapter 4. The Swedish Lotta Movement and its Neighbours: Navigating Neutrality, Peace Building and Women’s Issues in the Twentieth Century
Anne Hedén
Chapter 5. The Quest for Neutrality: Sweden, Finland and the Language Question in a Cold War Context
Janne Väistö
Chapter 6. No Peace Without Equality: The ‘North-South Conflict’ and its Effects on Sweden, the Netherlands and West Germany
Christopher Seiberlich
Conclusion
Nevra Biltekin, Leos Müller & Magnus Petersson