The Security Policies of Small NATO Countries: Factors of Change

Abstract

Petersen, N. The Security Policies of Small NATO Countries: Factors of Change. Cooperation and Conflict, XXIII, 1988, 145-162.

During the 1980s the traditional security policies of the smaller NATO countries in Northwest Europe have been under considerable stress. Policy changes have been most profound in Denmark, but similar trends have been evidenced in Norway, Holland and Belgium. Based on a simple analytical framework the article analyses the nature of these trends, mostly in the Danish case, and their background in domestic, transnational as well as systemic factors. Security policy values have changed, especially with respect to nuclear weapons; the policy process has become more complex and conflictual, and resulting policies have deviated from the old alliance loyalty of these countries. Among explanatory factors the article focuses on the breakdown of detente and increasing pressures on the European NATO members which were especially onerous for the small countries, changes in public opinion, transnational cooperation between political parties and social movements, and developments in Social Demo cratic perceptions. Even though some of these factors have been eclipsed by the present era of renewed detente, the adaptation of the small NATO countries to it is likely to be conditioned by the significant changes in perceptions, processes and policies which occurred in the 1980s.