ABSTRACT
As is the case in many aspects of social and economic policy, Scandinavian countries are often perceived to be ‘different’ in terms of how they handle security and defence matters. The general perception is that they traditionally have a distinctive way of responding to strategic challenges, of pursuing their national interests and accommodating them with comprehensive regional and international goals, of engaging with alliances, and involving their societies in deliberations over policy priorities and core values, including security and defence matters.
