Scientific article
Published:
Tilbake til fortiden: Forsvarspolitikken og norsk identitet
Summary:
Back to the Future: National Identity and the Norwegian Defence Policy
The article argues that Norwegian defence policy to a large extent is shaped by Norwegian identity and Norwegian values. This strong link was particularly visible in the 1990’s, when we witnessed a large degree of continuation of the Norwegian defence posture, despite the radical changes in the security environment. Territorial defence remained a key priority. When a new paradigm eventually emerged around the tun of the century – with primary focus on international operations – much of the old elements were nonetheless retained. Hence, when NATO returned to a focus on collective defence after 2014, Norway was more than ready for this change. In short, the defence concept that emerged around the millennium was short-lived and never really challenged the foundations the Norwegian Armed Forces rests on.
The article argues that Norwegian defence policy to a large extent is shaped by Norwegian identity and Norwegian values. This strong link was particularly visible in the 1990’s, when we witnessed a large degree of continuation of the Norwegian defence posture, despite the radical changes in the security environment. Territorial defence remained a key priority. When a new paradigm eventually emerged around the tun of the century – with primary focus on international operations – much of the old elements were nonetheless retained. Hence, when NATO returned to a focus on collective defence after 2014, Norway was more than ready for this change. In short, the defence concept that emerged around the millennium was short-lived and never really challenged the foundations the Norwegian Armed Forces rests on.
- Published year: 2021
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23865/intpol.v79.307
- Page count: 10
- Language: Norwegian
- Volume: 79
- Journal: Internasjonal Politikk - Skandinavisk tidsskrift for internasjonale studier
- URL 1: https://tidsskriftet-ip.no/index.php/intpol/article/view/3079
- URL 3:
Written by
Karsten Friis
Research Professor