During the Cold war a new global order developed, and tensions raised and fell during different periods of the war. This thesis studies two Swedish political parties, the Social Democratic Party and the Moderate Coalition Party with the intention to study their attitude to Swedish arms industry and arms trade. And what role arms industry and arms trade played for the development of Swedish society during the Cold war. This thesis uses the duration of the Cold war between 1947-1990 and categorizes the study period into three periods, the first cold war 1947-1962, period of reduced tension 1962-1979 and the second cold war 1979-1990. The study uses political programs and election manifestos from both parties where the focus is on which messages and visions the parties want to express.  

The result of the study shows that repetitive themes occur. The themes can be connected to Sweden’s defense capabilities, neutrality policy, the maintenance of an independent and sovereign nation, bridge-building policy and foreign trade. A strong defense together with neutrality policy is fundamental to keep Sweden out of war and conflict during the Cold war. Overall, the analysis shows that the Social Democratic Party and the Moderate Coalition Party considered that a strong defense and arms industry secures Sweden’s neutrality, independence and sovereignty in an event of war or conflict. Both parties wanted to invest in defense and acknowledge that arms trade and industry contributed to Sweden’s prosperity and increased security. The role of the arms industry was to improve its own defense capabilities and arms trade contributed through foreign trade to prosperity.