Sweden has made major changes in its security strategy, while deterrence has still been part of the strategy. How, then, have the strategies been adapted to meet threats in modern times?
This study aims to contribute to increased knowledge about Swedish deterrence and deterrence in general through a comparative qualitative text analysis of Sweden's security strategies during the 21st century.
The result indicates that Sweden has made changes in deterrence strategies through a transition from immediate and narrow deterrence to general, broad, and central deterrence. The changes are based on a long-term perspective with a clear focus on increasing the national defense capability, involving the total defense, and strengthening the resilience. The analysis demonstrate continuity in collective deterrence and deterrence by denial. But in contrast the findings indicates that deterrence by punishment seems to be more involved in the security strategy during the latter part of the 21st century.