Logo: to the web site of the Swedish Defence University

For over two centuries, Sweden has maintained a policy of non-alignment. This tradition broke on May 18, 2022, when Sweden applied for NATO membership. According to the government, the membership was seen as essential for protecting Sweden due to the worsening security situation caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nonetheless, this raises a critical question: Given that Sweden has faced similar crises historically without turning to NATO, why choose to do so now? By conducting a descriptive ideal-type analysis based on the theoretical concept of strategic culture, this thesis argues that Sweden’s decision to apply for NATO membership was primarily driven by a series of external pressures and shifts in the regional security landscape. More specifically, the decision was influenced by the exposure of Sweden’s inadequate defense capabilities in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Finland’s concurrent shift towards NATO. Crucially, this strategic shift to join a military alliance does not reflect a change in Sweden’s underlying strategic culture. Instead, it marks a pragmatic evolution in Sweden’s defense strategy, responding to new challenges while upholding its foundational values to ensure both national and regional stability amid global uncertainties.