Swedish Norm Entrepreneurship in the UN

Abstract Exploring the myth or reality of the powerless small state, this article offers a re-examination of Nordic internationalism by introducing the concepts of Nordic normative power and norm entrepreneurship. A discussion of Swedish norm advocacy within the UN provides an illustration of norm entrepreneurship as a contingent foreign policy approach for small states. By using norm entrepreneurship as a foreign policy strategy, small states may be able to 'punch above their weight' in international politics. Keywords: Nordic internationalismUnited NationsUN norm entrepreneurshipconflict preventionSweden Acknowledgements I thank the Nordic Council of Ministers for financial support, the working group on Nordic Peace Support Operations for valuable comments and criticism, and Michael Pugh and Eli Stamnes for insightful and constructive comments. Notes 1.…