ABSTRACT
The peace movement in Sweden functions in a situation somewhat different from many other peace movements in Europe. Many of the goals of the European peace movements have been achieved by the Swedish peace movement. Sweden’s position in the world is of great importance. Sweden’s technological, economic and political position is relatively independent. To consider the Swedish peace movement and peace ideas in the nineteenth century is to consider the directions and orientations within the liberal movement, especially from 1850 onwards. The creation of a peace organization strengthened antimilitaristic forces and managed to weaken the links between government and the Farmers’ Party on military issues. In the 1930s the peace movement struggled against the arms build-up, arms trade, arms industry, and militarism and war preparations. The Swedish Peace Council is an ‘umbrella’ organization for the Swedish peace movement. It is an organization for information, discussion and co-operation between organizations with peace and international solidarity on their programme.
