Scandinavian International Society

Laust Schouenborg holds a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics, UK, and is assistant professor in Global Studies at Roskilde University, Denmark.

"Laust Schouenborg has confronted the exceptionalist discourse on international society seen in the Nordic region with the thoughts of the English School on regional international society. The result is well-researched, designed and carried out. Particular reference is made to the idea of ‘the Nordic Peace’ and to the notion of solidarity in Nordic foreign policy. Using a strong set of indicators Laust finds good reason for the existence of a Scandinavian international society. A good read for those interested in how international relations can sometimes turn out right!" - Clive Archer, Emeritus Professor, Manchester Metropolitan University"In this important book, Schouenborg chronicles the development of a Scandinavian (-Baltic) international society over a period of 200 years. The book will be interesting news for IR-theorists because it develops a coherent analytical framework which clarifies the forces behind the development of regional international society. This represents a strengthening of English School theory. In terms of concrete analysis we are offered—for the first time—a comprehensive and convincing understanding of how the Scandinavian international society developed over time and how it came to include the Baltic states." - Georg Sørensen, Professor, Aarhus University, Denmark

• 1. Introduction Part 1: The Analytical Framework 2. Regional International Societies, Primary Institutions and Binding Forces 3. Applying English School Structural Theory 4. Exceptionalism and Post-Westphalian Regional International Societies Part 2: The Scandinavian Case Study 5. Primary Institutions – 1815-1919 6. Binding Forces – 1815-1919 7. Primary Institutions – 1919-1989 8. Binding Forces – 1919-1989 9. Primary Institutions 1989-2010 10. Binding Forces – 1989-2010 11. Conclusion