Crisis and Perspectives on Policy Change:
Swedish Counter-terrorism Policymaking

Dan Hansén (2007)

This thesis delves into the policymaking effects of three Swedish crises: the 1972 Bulltofta skyjacking, the 1975 seizure of the West-German Stockholm Embassy and the 1986 murder of Prime Minister Olof Palme. The first crisis created swift policy change which led to the Terrorist Act. But the occupation of the West-German embassy was followed by a decade of policy stasis. The murder of Prime Minister Olof Palme instigated major changes of Swedish counter-terrorism policies, even though the murder has never been proven as an act of terrorism. The experiences are puzzling.

The thesis argues that Swedish policy makers have been heavily influenced by cognitive
biases when interpreting crises, which has had a moderating effect on policy change
initiatives. Major policy changes or innovations have occurred, although these have been
in keeping with dominant policy core beliefs, if such have prevailed. The changes however
needed entrepreneurial exertion to come about. Government and administrative turnovers
have had little impact on changing the constituencies for certain belief structures.

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