Norway’s Foreign Policy in the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries

This book provides a comprehensive overview of Norway's foreign policy in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, with a particular focus on the latter. Covering themes such as security and defence, foreign aid and European integration, the author argues that despite often presenting itself as an idealist country and a "peace nation", Norwegian governments have demonstrated an understanding of power politics and a desire to, above all, promote national self-interests. The author explores the country's global relations with the US and NATO, with the countries of the European Union, and with great powers such as Russia and China. By adopting a historical perspective, the book demonstrates how continuity and stability have been fundamental features of contemporary Norwegian foreign policy. The book draws on a wide range of current and archival government sources, parliamentary debates and opinion pieces in news outlets, as well as an extensive selection of academic sources.