In the field of war studies there is an ongoing debate about the understanding of the doctrine. A common understanding of the doctrine is important not only within the field of research but also because it creates a common language among its users which reduces the risk of misunderstandings. Harald Høiback, an important player in the matter, claims that a nations prolonged geostrategic situation predicts its doctrines content with regard to its function. These functions are to act as tools of command, education and change. The main aim of this essay is to make a contribution to the debate by testing Høiback´s predication. In a case study of the Swedish strategic doctrines MSD12 and MSD16, Høiback´s predication is tested using qualitative text analysis. The main finding of this essay is that a doctrine can change its function as tool of command faster than Høiback's assertion predicts.

According to theorist Harald Høiback, a doctrine should consist of three salient elements in order to qualify as an adequate and functional document; theory, culture and authority. The occurrence of these elements throughout the doctrine can furthermore be refined, resulting in three different areas of utility; education, command and change. However, Swedens’ contemporary military doctrine consists of a series of documents, including a strategic and an operational doctrine. This evidently evokes questions regarding the contexture and most appropriate purpose of each doctrine, and furthermore whether vertical coherence between the doctrinal levels can be identified or precluded. Focusing on Swedens’ military doctrine in whole, this single-case study uses a qualitative text analysis to identify key elements in each doctrine. This thesis therefore enables conclusions regarding doctrines as a specific conceptual tool, and deductions considering consistency between different levels of doctrines. Findings reveal that Militärstrategisk doktrin 2016 is mainly influenced by cultural elements, most suitably being utilized as a tool of education. Operativ doktrin 2014 however emphasizes authority, resulting in a more suitable doctrine as a tool of command. Concluding the results, this thesis shows that Swedens’ doctrinal series does not manifest vertical coherence in terms of consistency between levels. However, further research is required to confirm whether the absence of coherence between the doctrinal levels generates negative effects, or whether it’s positive considering complementing aspects.

Denna uppsats frågeställning tar oss på en resa från kalla krigets kyligaste period med den strategiska kultur som präglade den svenska säkerhetsstrategin till läget idag med de förändringar som skett på vägen.  Genom att fokusera på de försvarspropositioner och svenska marina doktriner eller doktrinliknande dokument som getts ut inom ramen för det tidsfönster som valts, 1980-2020, skapas en förståelse och en relation mellan det auktoritära och det auktoritäras beroenderelation. Beroenderelationen till befolkningen och omvärlden samt spårbarheten av detta i de marina doktrinerna.  Harald Høiback har forskat inom militära doktriner och utvecklat en teori om vikten av balansen mellan de hörnstenar som ingår eller bör ingå i en militärdoktrin, för att doktrinen ska fylla det syfte som avses. Tillsammans med Elizabeth Kiers teori om strategisk kultur skapas ett verktyg som gör att analysen och förståelsen för vad som har varit, det som är och det som kan komma att bli, ökar.  Balansen mellan det auktoritära och militärteori kan inledningsvis tyckas vara självklar men komplexiteten kopplat till säkerhetsstrategi gör att syftet med doktrinen emellanåt varierar, hur har det då sett ut, hur ser det ut idag, och hur kan det tänkas se ut framöver?