Sweden: The twin faces of a euro-outsider

Abstract:

Although recognising that the country experiences a notable division between elite and public perspectives on the benefits of further European integration as evident in the 2003 referendum on the euro, this article argues that a consensus has emerged. Sweden is content as a '(euro) outsider on the inside' of the Union and has developed effective networks so that any detrimental effects accruing from euro-outsider status are relatively minimal. Using a brief evaluation of the 2003 euro referendum, the authors apply Miles' 'politics of asymmetry' model in explaining Swedish perspectives towards the single currency and the EU.