The Potential End of an Aid Superpower : A motive analysis of Swedish aid motives over time

The continuity of Swedish aid motives over time is remarkable. Solidarity and moral duty have characterized Swedish aid since its inception in 1962. As a front-runner within development assistance, with a distinct brand, Sweden has been known internationally as a generous and reliable donor who prioritizes humanitarian aid motives such as human rights, gender equality, and democratic values. A so-called aid superpower. However, a potential paradigm shift of Swedish aid policy has been debated since the implementation of the most recent aid policy agenda in 2023. The aim of this thesis is to examine Swedish aid motives over time by comparing the aid policy agendas of 2013, 2016, and 2023. Sogge's theory about donor motives, Beremeo's theory about targeted development, and Bengy Puyvallée and Bjørkdahl's theory about Scandinavian humanitarianism are combined and applied together with a motive analysis in order to investigate how Swedish aid motives have changed. The findings suggest that the agenda of 2023 distances itself from the motives that previously have characterized Swedish aid. An increased pursuer role of Nordic domestic values and self-seeking interest indicate that Sweden is moving away from the long-standing uniqueness of its Scandinavian aid identity which marks a historic shift.