Sweden's Debate on the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Abstract

Superpower development of tactical nuclear weapons appeared to alter the nature of land combat in the early 1950's. By 1954, the military and the Conservative party advocated acquisition of such weapons for Sweden's defense. The other political parties and the Government were ambivalent. In particular, conflicting opinions within the ruling Social Democratic party threatened party unity at a point when the party could least afford the cleavages an atomic weapons decision would create.

Seizing on the dual issues of nuclear disarmament and inadequate technical capabilities, the Government successfully pursued a policy of postponing a decision for nearly fifteen years. By the late 1960's, the vast arsenals of the superpowers and progress in disarmament efforts made it possible for the Government to officially decide not to acquire nuclear weapons.