A Tale of Two Countries: Analysing Swedish and Danish Diplomatic Actions within the European Free Trade Association 1960–1962

Författare

Naod Habtemichael

Summary, in English

This thesis examines how national identity influenced Swedish and Danish diplomatic strategies within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) from 1960 to 1962, and how these strategies were portrayed in national newspapers. By applying a theoretical framework focused on interpreting diplomatic intentions, alongside a narrative analysis of news articles, the study scrutinises EFTA documents and contemporary press coverage to explore the interaction between diplomatic actions and public narratives. The findings reveal distinct approaches. Sweden was fixed to its neutrality doctrine and was solely focused on dismantling trade barriers. Denmark, on the other hand, pursued a more pragmatic strategy – defending domestic sectors such as agriculture, maintaining alignment with influential European powers and left the door open for deeper political integration. Newspaper articles in both countries sought to shape public understanding by reflecting as well as questioning official diplomatic narratives. While Swedish press coverage critically judged the constraints of neutrality, Danish newspapers predominantly presented EFTA as a temporary platform for further integration. By showcasing how diplomacy and the printed press co-produced national identities through narratives of neutrality and rationality, the thesis contributes to the scholarly understanding of small-state diplomacy and the interplay between national identity and foreign policy in an early phase of European integration.

Avdelning/ar