Between the Blocs: Problems and Prospects for Europe's Neutral and Nonaligned States

by Edited by Joseph Kruzel , Michael H. Haltzel

• ISBN13: 9780521375580
• ISBN10: 0521375584
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1990-01-26
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Today's major European neutrals - Austria, Finland, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland - are heirs to a venerable and adaptable tradition. In the turmiol of the past two centuries, many neutral states have diasppeared, othes have joined alliance systems, and those that have remained or become neutral have often seen themselves as misunderstood, even as their international positions have solidified. Neurality is no longer an easily defined, static legal concept, but an evolving political practice. In Between the Blocs many of the preeminent scholars and political figures who have crafted the shape and meaning of the modern policy of neutrality in their own problems of neutrality and nonalignment in comporary Europe. The credibility of the military defenses of the European neutrals in the late twentieth century is perhaps the most heatedly debated question addressed in the book. Of particular significance are the political and military challenges to Sweden by foreign submarine incursions, which were a major topic of domestic Swedish debate in the 1980s. A number of challenging economic issues confronting the neutral states are also examined. The technological gap between the neutrals and the two military blocs is large and widening, and the restructuring of the global economy is pushing the neutrals into closer cooperation with the European Community. Maintaining a national policy is costly and requires widespread public support, yet open discussion of sensitive issue may jeopardize the neutral status a government is trying to maintain. Another topic discussed by a number of contributors is the limits of public debate in Austria, Finland and Sweden. With its wide-ranging and nonideological analysis of the phenomenon of Europe's neutral analysis of the phenomenon of Europe's natural and nonaligned states, Between the Blocs promises to become a modern classic in the field.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction Michael H. Haltzel

Part I. Perspectives: 1. Neutral states in historical perspectives Philip Windsor

Commentary Luzius Wildhaber

Commentary Wilhelm Carlgren

2. Forms of neutrality Sigmund Widmer

3. The various conceptions of European neutrality Radovan Vukadinovic

Part II. Special Cases: 4. The underlying assumptions of Finnish neutrality Pertti Joenniemi

5. Neutrality and regional integration: Ireland's experience in the European community Patrick Keatinge

Part III. Interdependence: 6. Challenges to neutrality in an interdependent world Hanspeter Neuhold

7. National security dilemmas and strategies for the European neutrals Bengt Sundelius

Commentary Raimo Vä

yrynen

Part IV. Security: 8. The European neutrals, national defense, and international security Joseph Kruzel

9. Beyond soldiers and arms: the Swiss model of comprehensive security policy Kurt R. Spillmann

10. Swedish defense: traditions, perceptions, and policies Nils André

n

11. Swedish and Finnish defense policies: a comparative study Tomas Ries

Commentary Kari Mö

ttö

lä

Part V. Public Opinion: 12. The role of public opinion in neutral policy Hans Thalberg

13. Finnish neutrality and public opinion Krister Stå

hlberg

Commentary Sverker Å

strö

m

Part VI. Policy Views: 14. Some misconceptions about Austrian neutrality Gerald Hinteregger

15. Neutrality in the European context: the Finnish perspective Paavo Vä

yrynen

16. The Swiss approach Edouard Brunner

17. The United States and Europe's neutrals Rozanne L. Ridgway

Part VII. Conclusion: 18. The future of European neutrality Joseph Kruzel

About the authors

Index.