Möjligheterna för en liten stat att vara inflytelserik på den internationella arenan kan tyckas vara en svår uppgift. Den största och äldsta institutionen är Förenta Nationerna och säkerhetsrådet är den delen av FN med mest makt. De fem permanenta medlemmarna i säkerhetsrådet åtnjuter flertalet fördelar jämfört med mindre stater och icke-permanenta medlemmar i form av veto-rätten, deras tradition av att ha en plats i rådet och deras ekonomiska övertag över mindre stater. Mindre stater måste specialisera sig på ett fåtal områden för att bli inflytelserika. Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka om Sverige var inflytelserikt som ordförande i säkerhetsrådet utifrån teorin om små stater och deras verktyg för inflytande. Samt att göra en jämförelse med Australiens ordförandeskap. Uppsatsens slutsats blev att Sverige har varit inflytelserikt i FN:s säkerhetsråd som ordförande. Dessutom höll Sverige jämna steg med Australien utifrån operationaliseringen av teorin. Där variablerna Kunskap och prioritering, Diplomatiska förmågor och självbild/uppfattning, Initiativ och ledarskap och Koalitionsbyggande testas på de båda staternas ordförandeskap. Sveriges historia och tradition av stöd till FN har varit och är fortfarande större än Australiens, vilket gör Sverige mer inflytelserikt utifrån variabeln Självbild/uppfattning.

<p>This study is set out to examine if there is any kind of influence between the EU and Swedish gender policy. More specific the Swedish efforts within the gender policy area, especially in the area of social policy and employment, during the Swedish presidency in the Council of Ministers 2001. And also to examine the impact of Europeanization in Swedish gender policy. We have decided to delimit our study to care of elderly and children when it comes to the area of social policy. We are using a descriptive, examining qualitative method. Our theoretical framework consists of Gösta Esping-Andersen’s welfare state theory, Yvonne Hirdman’s gender theory and the theory of Europeanization.</p><p>During the Swedish presidency Sweden choose to focus on putting gender mainstreaming into all policy areas. We found the Swedish presidency being quite effective, concerning gender equality. A lot of discussions about gender equality took place and a few decisions were made. We found some indicators showing that Swedish gender policy and women’s situation has been affected by the EU-membership and Europeanization. But we also found that the EU is not the whole cause of changes in policies affecting women.</p>

This study is set out to examine if there is any kind of influence between the EU and Swedish gender policy. More specific the Swedish efforts within the gender policy area, especially in the area of social policy and employment, during the Swedish presidency in the Council of Ministers 2001. And also to examine the impact of Europeanization in Swedish gender policy. We have decided to delimit our study to care of elderly and children when it comes to the area of social policy. We are using a descriptive, examining qualitative method. Our theoretical framework consists of Gösta Esping-Andersen’s welfare state theory, Yvonne Hirdman’s gender theory and the theory of Europeanization. During the Swedish presidency Sweden choose to focus on putting gender mainstreaming into all policy areas. We found the Swedish presidency being quite effective, concerning gender equality. A lot of discussions about gender equality took place and a few decisions were made. We found some indicators showing that Swedish gender policy and women’s situation has been affected by the EU-membership and Europeanization. But we also found that the EU is not the whole cause of changes in policies affecting women.