The Nordic Countries and the European Security and Defence Policy

228 THE BROADER DIMENSIONS OF SECURITYVII. Nordic conflict mediation: Finland, Norway and SwedenA good success rate can be found in mediation efforts where the mediator is aleader or representative of a small government. The cases of Finland, Norwayand Sweden demonstrate the characteristics and types of small state mediation.In order to examine the role of these countries in international conflict mediation,an overview of their foreign policy traditions is needed. What unites thesethree Nordic countries is their remote geographical position, which has historicallypermitted them to remain aloof from international engagement. Thedecision to enter military alliances was taken only after World War II, whenNorway joined NATO in 1949. Similarly, Finland and Sweden were latecomersin joining the EU and Norway is not a member. Neutrality and non-alignmenthave remained popular foreign policy doctrines in Finland and Sweden. Theprominence of social democratic institutions and consensus in policy makingare also shared features among the Nordic countries. In other words, ideologicallythe Nordic identity has not been of the East or West, but has represented athird way based on humanitarian principles, peace, cooperation and disarmament,and on a distinctive model of the welfare state. Solidarity, internationalismand multilateralism have been strong ideological forces guiding the Nordicforeign policies. The Nordic countries have a long-standing tradition of participationin UN-led peacekeeping activities, conflict prevention through politicaldialogue, mediation and high levels of overseas development assistance. 43Swedish mediationThe basic principles of Swedish neutrality were established in the early19th century during the reign of King Karl XIV Johan (1818–44; regent 1810–18). As a result of its neutrality policy Sweden managed to stay out of worldwars I and II and was not forced to take sides with either of the superpowersduring the cold war. The Swedish policy of neutrality did not prevent thecountry from pursuing international activism during the cold war period.During this time, Sweden was particularly active as a mediator, with OlofPalme, Prime Minister 1969–76 and 1982–86, openly criticizing repressiveregimes. Sweden as a small neutral state acted as a critic, a mediator betweenthe blocs and a peacekeeper. 44Swedish non-alignment was seen as a precondition for active involvement ininternational affairs and pursuit of international solidarity. However, with theend of the cold war, Sweden gradually began to reconstruct its foreign policyidentity. The old identity—as a neutral state, minor mediator and critic in a43 Bergman (note 15), p. 1; Ingebritsen, C., ‘Norm entrepreneurs: Scandinavia’s role in world politics’,Cooperation and Conflict, vol. 37, no. 1 (2002), p. 13; and Browning, C. S., ‘Coming home or movinghome?: “Westernizing” narratives in Finnish foreign policy and the reinterpretation of past identities’,Cooperation and Conflict, vol. 37, no. 1 (2002), p. 50.44 Bergman (note 15), pp. 1–14.