The institutional consequences of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy

This paper examines the impact of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy (FFP), adopted in 2014, on its foreign ministry. The policy has been studied extensively but almost exclusively as part of diplomatic practice; this study expands the perspective by adding analytical and political dimensions relating to the ministry at home. The policy had political origins and, the paper argues, was maintained and instrumentalized as a lever to bring about internal change within the ministry. The policy was under political ownership and policy coordinators were under political patronage. FFP had institutional consequences for the ministry. It promoted more horizontal coordination and stronger functional and organizational synergies, not only between policy areas but also between staff categories. This meant that the work culture and how the ministry works changed. The study, which combines primary and secondary material, offers further insights into Sweden’s FFP, but also into what happens within a foreign ministry. Overall, the paper provides lessons about how foreign policy can be understood as co-constructed by civil servants/diplomats and political appointees – including ministers and their political advisers.