No single cause galvanised the Cold War peace movement more than the nuclear weapons issue. In Norway, public protests brought together doctrinaire pacifists, radical leftists, moderates, the faith-based, gender-focused groups, at times even NATO supporters; all ostensibly voicing a unified message. The present study situates the Norwegian movement within a wider context: The rapid evolution of weapons technology, diplomatic efforts to curb the arms race and, importantly, the many contrasting views held within the peace movement itself. Particular attention is on the movement’s self-perception, public presence, and role in shaping the national discourse on foreign affairs.
The research probes the ideological-political foundations of popular protest and commitments held by the various Norwegian peace organisations, as well as the degree of alignment with those of other smaller NATO countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands. Examining when and how public distress and hopes of a more peaceful future mobilised widespread apprehension into citizen protests – during a remarkable period in our near history – contributes to a broader understanding of the forces pushing against Norway’s established foreign policy line. What were the movement’s views on alliances, security policies, the causes of conflict? The analysis explores its ambitions, constraints, and, indeed, its managers.
Drawing on underutilized archival sources, unique primary materials, as well as interviews with key activists and pundits, we shall see how Norwegian peace organisations responded to shifting Cold War conditions and articulated their visions on international order. The study’s primary focus is on the 1970s; a decade during which Norwegian peace groups emerged from dormancy to a revitalised voice around 1980. What developments, and which actors, drove its remarkable resurgence?
Please note: The spoken language during the defence will be Norwegian and Danish.
Øyvind Selle Ekelund successfully defended his thesis on 20 February 2026.
Trial lecture
Designated topic: A Comparative Analysis of Peace Movements in Sweden and Norway, 1970s–1980s.
Evaluation committee
- Professor Rasmus Mariager, University of Copenhagen
- Professor Rolf Tamnes, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)
- Associated Professor Rosanna Farbøl, University of Oslo
Chair of the defence
Supervisors
- Professor Emeritus Helge Pharo, University of Oslo