Thorsten Borring Olesen

Under the national paradigm: Cold War studies and Cold War politics in post-Cold War Norden

On a comparative basis this article explores the profile of Cold War University teaching and Cold War research as carried out in the Post-Cold War period in the Nordic countries. A number of overall conclusions are drawn from this exploration. Firstly concerning teaching, that Cold War courses are mainly taught within the setting of History, and that the political aspects of the Cold War conflict are mostly in focus in Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway whereas a culture and society approach dominates in Sweden. Secondly concerning research, the article argues that Cold War research during the last 10–15 years has taken a tremendous leap forward, often through government-sponsored research programmes or appointed commissions. All the same, the author is critical of the strict national approach of most research and the complete lack of comparative Nordic studies, but also of the limited attempts to insert Nordic research findings into the international Cold War debate. However, and thirdly, the article is also analyzing and discussing the role of the Cold War in post-1989 politics and debates. It is demonstrated that Cold War issues have continued to play a prominent role in the Post-Cold War period albeit with a varying degree of intensity within the individual Nordic countries with Norway seeing least controversy and Denmark at the other end having experienced a very radical and intense political debate on issues like alliance (dis)loyalty, fellow travelling and police surveillance and control. The article concludes that level of intensity of these debates is mainly defined by the degree to which such Cold War issues are and can be inserted into national controversies of contemporary politics.

On the side of the angels: altruism in Danish development aid 1960–2005

Based on a theoretical definition of altruism the article investigates the relationship between this and other motives in Danish official development assistance 1960–2005. In the historical unfolding and general mode of operation of the Danish aid regime altruism has been an important, but only vaguely specified motive, endorsed by those involved on all levels: politicians, interest groups, specialists, activists and voters. However, other important motives, of an economic and political and even structural-systemic nature, both national and international, can also be identified. Some of these are deemed reconcilable with an altruistic core motivation while others exercised a disruptive and competing influence. The multiplicity of agency and the derived need for consensus has tended to obstruct accountability and dilute responsibility in the aid system. Unfortunately, the frequent invocations of altruism in order to justify the aid programme may have served to downplay the importance of problems with aid efficiency and to marginalise criticism.