Between Ideology and Critical Neutrality How the Israel-Palestinian Conflict Is Framed in Swedish History School Textbooks http://www.tlaxcala-int.org/article.asp?reference=4102

This was recognised by “former Director of Education of the Swedish National Board of Education”, Bengt Thelin, in 1992 when he promoted “a curriculum that [would] address issues such as ecology, peace and war, overpopulation, refugees, and global issues.” (my italics) At that time he was concerned with the nature of “Sweden’s political neutrality” in the wake of its application for membership into “the European Common Market […].”Alluding to a conflict of interests or ideologies, the concerns he raised were the possible “political and also military commitments” that Sweden would be obligated to fulfill through joining the EEC.

As a clear indication of Sweden’s shift from neutrality to ideology, since Göran Persson’s time we have seen Sweden follow neoliberal reforms, “strengthen the Israeli military complex and the country’s military capacity” as well as partially fulfil military commitments in Afghanistan under the auspices of NATO. Finally, in the 21st Century this should give us all cause for concern. At the same time it should also alert us to the vital role of education in forming critical and democratic citizens who, more than being made “employable”, must be up to the task of dealing with the repercussions of current global political conflicts and crises.