FOREIGN POLICY AND FEMINISM: A CASE STUDY OF SWEDEN

Abstract

The thesis has addressed one central question: why feminism gained significance for Sweden’s foreign policy and how it was translated in Sweden’s foreign policy behavior. Sweden has officially become the first state to endorse feminist foreign policy in the fall of 2014. This thesis has elaborated on theories of feminism and foreign policy in order to understand Sweden's feminist foreign policy and its translation into Sweden's foreign policy behavior. The thesis emphasized that feminist foreign policy of Sweden has stemmed from its national role conception of being a humanitarian superpower and its desire to promote and strengthen its soft power image abroad. Both domestic and international factors have contributed to the development of Sweden's feminist foreign policy. It has examined this unique foreign policy choice by utilizing various shades of feminism, soft power and national role conception theories of foreign policy. In the postCold War era, Sweden's neutrality policy changed due to the change in the international system when it joined regional alliances such as NATO and EU. However, Sweden's efforts for gender equality at home and abroad accelerated that finally led to its endorsement of feminism in foreign policy during the post 9/11 era. Although Sweden's foreign policy behavior has remained consistent according to the objectives set forth in its feminist foreign policy, yet critics point out that Sweden has continued to be an arms exporter. Nevertheless, Sweden has continued to project its soft image through its feminist foreign policy in the Nordic states, broader Europe, the US, the Middle Eastern states as well as in international organizations such as the United Nations.