Sweden, Nicaragua and the Sandinistas: an analysis of Swedish foreign policy on Nicaragua 1979-1990

Abstract: In 1979 the Sandinista movement revolted against the Somoza dictatorship and seized power in Nicaragua. The Swedish Social Democrats had earlier supported the Sandinista movement in Nicaragua and now welcomed the revolution. During 1979 and 1990 the Swedish policy on Nicaragua proved stable. The political support and the flow of financial aid were continuous despite changes of government, internal and external criticism and tension in the international system. The purpose of this essay is to explain why. This is carried out by using Kjell Goldmann's theory on foreign policy stability, which introduces the notion of ?stabilizers? as forces inhibiting change of a foreign policy. The stabilizers are categorized in four level of analysis - international, administrative, political and cognitive ? which allows a broad perspective when analyzing the case. The analysis is undertaken by applying the theoretical framework on empirical material - literature, reports and interviews with central actors. By modifying Goldmann's framework to some extent, we find that the stability of the policy on Nicaragua 1979-1990 can be explained considering institutionalization of ideas and relations, along with personal characteristics and domestic politics.