Mind The Gap and Fuzzy Edges: Concept-evolution and the growing space for strategic uncertainty in Swedish military strategic doctrine
2025 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
This thesis examines the evolution of the concepts of peace, war, and that inbetweenacross Sweden’s four Military Strategic Doctrines (MSD) from 2002to 2022. Adopting an interpretivist research design and applying FredericSchaffer’s concept-elucidation method, the study analyses how these coreconcepts have shifted over time and assesses the implications for the SwedishArmed Forces. The findings indicate a gradual conceptual drift, particularlyin the delineation of the in-between, leading to an expanded and increasinglyambiguous space between peace and war. This shift, compounded by the useof strategic gradualism and ambiguity by adversaries, generates a problematicspace for strategic uncertainty. The study concludes that such ambiguity, incombination with the challenges posed to shared understandings by the rapidconcept evolution, complicates military build-up, readiness and decisionmakingshort of war.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 20
Keywords [en]
War Studies, Concept Evolution, Delineation, War, Grey Zone, Peace, Military Strategic Doctrine
National Category
Political Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:fhs:diva-13869OAI: oai:DiVA.org:fhs-13869DiVA, id: diva2:1971067
Subject / course
War Studies, Thesis
Educational program
Högre officersprogrammet (HOP)
Uppsok
Social and Behavioural Science, Law
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-06-172025-06-172025-09-29Bibliographically approved