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Demokratiskolan
The International military ops card from MethodKit for Society and Politics
Card 43 of 128 · MethodKit for Society & Politics
  • AreaSafety & defense
  • Centre of gravityCentral government
  • Points of influence3 on the journey
  • Decisive electionThe general election
Safety & defense

International military ops

Conflicts, wars & peacekeeping

When Sweden sends soldiers, police officers or experts to an operation abroad it is one of the central government's weightiest decisions. The main rule is that the Riksdag must approve sending armed force, so in the end it is your vote in the general election that travels along.

Where does the power lie?1

  • State · decision, forces & aid · approx 90 %
  • EU · joint operations · approx 10 %

Operations are decided by the Riksdag and the Government, with the UN, NATO and the EU as frameworks. The general election is the lever you have.

How it works: the breakdown

The municipalityThe home front
The regionCare on return
Central governmentDecision & forces · centre of gravity
Who decides?
No formal role in the decisions on operations.
No formal role in the decisions.
The Riksdag, the Government, the Swedish Armed Forces, the Police, MSB and Sida.
What do they decide?
The municipality's social services and schools meet veterans and their families in everyday life, but decide nothing about the operations.
The region's healthcare meets returning veterans, among other things within psychiatry, but has no part in the operation decisions.
Whether Sweden takes part, with what and for how long: military units, police officers, civilian experts and humanitarian support.
Where are decisions made?
Not at all: the decisions are made nationally.
Not at all in the decisions, only in the care afterwards.
In government bills and Riksdag decisions, often after a mandate from the UN Security Council, NATO or the EU.
Who pays?
Nothing earmarked. The operations are paid for by the central government.
No earmarked responsibility.
The central government budget: the defense appropriation and the aid budget.
Fastest way in?
The municipal election No direct way here. Engagement goes through associations and the national elections.
The regional election No direct way: the matter is decided in the general election and the European Parliament election.
The general election The general election decides the line. Anyone who wants to can apply for the Armed Forces' international service themselves.
EUThe EU runs its own peace and crisis management operations to which Sweden contributes personnel. The European Parliament election shapes the union's security policy.

Read the table by column to understand one level, or by row to compare the levels. The green level is the area's centre of gravity.

How it works: follow the decision

The case Sweden joins a peace operation
  1. EU

    A mandate takes shape

    The UN Security Council, the EU or NATO decides on an operation and asks the member states for contributions. Without a clear mandate Sweden usually does not take part.

    Point of influence

    The European Parliament election shapes the union's common security and defense policy, an ever larger framework for Swedish operations.

  2. State

    The Government proposes a Swedish contribution

    The Government negotiates what Sweden can provide and puts forward a government bill: how many, what task, for how long and at what cost.

  3. State

    The Riksdag decides

    Sending armed force abroad requires, as a main rule, the Riksdag's approval. The debate and the decision are public, party by party, and can be followed afterwards.

    Point of influence

    The general election decides who makes these decisions. The records are open, so you can see how your members voted.

  4. State

    The Armed Forces staff and train

    The unit is put together from employed soldiers and officers who have applied for international service, trained for the task and rotated at regular intervals.

    Point of influence

    The operations are staffed by volunteers. Employment or previous conscription can be your way in if you want to contribute yourself.

  5. State

    Civilians come along

    The Police send officers to UN and EU operations, MSB sends experts on everything from logistics to mine clearance, and Sida funds humanitarian support in the same areas.

  6. Your everyday life

    The veteran in your stairwell

    Tens of thousands of Swedes have served in international operations. On 29 May, veterans' day, they are officially honoured. The rest of the year they are neighbours, colleagues and parents at football practice.

The journey looks the same in reverse: what has been built came the same way, through the same decisions. Whoever knows where the decisions are made also knows where they can be changed.

Questions to discuss

  1. When is it right for Sweden to take part in an operation abroad, and when is it not?

  2. What is Sweden best at contributing: soldiers, police officers, experts or money?

  3. How much should NATO membership be allowed to steer where Swedish forces end up?

  4. What does society owe those who go out, when they come home again?

  5. How did you follow the Riksdag's latest decision on an operation, and did the matter weigh into your vote?

Glossary

Mandat
The formal assignment for an operation, usually from the UN Security Council, the EU or NATO.
Proposition
The Government's firm proposal to the Riksdag, for example to send a force abroad.
Väpnad styrka
A military unit with weapons. Sending one abroad requires, as a main rule, the Riksdag's approval.
Veteran
Someone who has served in an international operation, military or civilian.
Humanitärt bistånd
Emergency help to people in crisis and war, in Sweden mainly via Sida.

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Footnotes

1) This is an estimate of how decision-making power over the issue is split between the municipality, the region, central government and the EU, based on how responsibility is divided in legislation. A teaching guide, not an exact measurement.