The end of Europeanization? Sweden and the recognition of Palestine

• This paper analyses Sweden’s decision to recognise Palestine in 2014 and it aims to understand whether this was a case of de-Europeanisation, defined as positively attempting to get rid of any perceived restraints imposed by European foreign policy, or a way for Sweden to promote EU foreign policy, possibly in a different guise. The paper overviews the debate about Europeanisation and makes three points. First, pre-existing foreign policy practices at the EU and the national level showed that Sweden has a strong tradition of working through the EU, but recognition of Palestine was not expected to be executed at the EU level. Second, it shows that Sweden’s decision was motivated by domestic politics and justified with a desire to actively break away from the previous pattern of Swedish foreign policy. Third, the paper argues that the impact of Sweden’s decision has been long-lasting in terms of limiting the discussion on Palestine’s recognition, but has also enhanced the role of Sweden within the EU foreign policy system, thus suggesting that the nature of EU foreign policy cooperation is changing.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Statsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Political Science (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

European Union

Swedish foreign policy

recognition

diplomacy

Palestine

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)