Patterns of Norwegian Foreign Policy Behavior: An Exploratory Analysis

Abstract

Knudsen, O.F. and Underdal, A. Patterns of Norwegian Foreign Policy Behavior: An Exploratory Analysis. Cooperation and Conflict, XX, 1985, 229-251.

In this article the authors use events data for a 7-month period in 1978-9 to explore the following question: Who (in Norway's governmental apparatus) does what to whom (meaning to other states, societies, or inter- and trans-national organizations)? The findings reported indicate support for some of the 'conventional wisdom' propositions on small state behavior, such as a leaning towards cautiousness and instruments of international law and order, but Norway emerges as more of a concerned, perhaps officious, 'citizen' of the world community than 'small state realism' would suggest. The patterns of behavior revealed by this 'snapshot' clearly reflect a relationship of complex interdependence to neighbors in northwestern Europe, expressed in inter alia, a high level of attention, a concentration on matters of 'economic wealth', and a prominent role for 'domestic' sectors of government. By contrast, despite receiving a fair amount of attention, the Third World countries appear essentially as 'faraway strangers', left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Norway's relationship to the USSR seems to be rather heavily loaded with issues concerning inter-state norms, rights, and duties, and is also characterized by a significantly higher proportion of conflict behavior than is interaction with the West.