Britain and Scandinavia: Their Relations within EFTA, 1960-1968

Abstract

Archer, T. C. Britain and Scandinavia: Their Relations within EFTA, 1960-1968. Cooperation and Conflict, XI, 1976, 1-23. Relationships between Britain and Scandinavia in EFTA are examined using three variables: industrial base, attitude to the EEC, Nordic-British division. After initial cooperation in establishing EFTA, British relations with Scandinavia declined and after 1963 harmony on EFTA issues amongst the Scandinavians increased. Response to the British import surcharge illuminates the part Sweden played as bridgebuilder between Britain and Scandinavia. The role of EFTA's institutions in the relationship is shown and EFTA's usefulness for the four states is evaluated: by the end of the sixties EFTA provided fewer pay-offs and other trade options were taken up in Nordek and the EEC. T. Clive Archer, Department of Politics and Centre for Nordic Studies, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.