Försvaret i förändring

Abstract

This bachelor thesis in European studies examines the perceived effects of Europeanization among officers, soldiers and seamen in the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) through the use of semi-structured respondent interviews. The study focuses on change in rules, values, identity and organizational changes. The study shows the most important parts of what is believed to be the biggest factors behind the major change in the SAF during the last 20 years. The biggest factors are shown to be the fall of the Warsaw pact and the increasing influence of NATO in Europe. Interviews show that staff within the SAF has difficulties separating change coming from the EU and the above-mentioned factors, partially due to the fact that most members of the European union are also part of NATO. Although in some areas, such as the completion of the Nordic Battlegroup, EU has played an important role and presents itself as a major factor in the ongoing change of the SAF.