1945-1969: Sweden and Europe in a changing world -- 1969-1971: doubting detente -- 1971-1972: assuming the role of the realist -- 1972-1973: engaging in the Dipoli Tea Party -- 1973-1975: making the Helsinki Final Act
Summary
During the Cold War, Sweden actively cultivated a reputation as the "conscience of the world," working to build bridges between East and West and embracing a nominal commitment to international solidarity. This groundbreaking study explores the tension between realism and idealism in Swedish diplomacy during a key episode in Cold War history-the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, culminating in the 1975 Helsinki Accords. Through careful analysis of new evidence, it offers a compelling counternarrative of this period, showing that Sweden strategically ignored human rights violations in Eastern Europe and the nonaligned states in its pursuit of national interests
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 261-280) and index
