BONDE, GUSTAF, COUNT (162o-1667), Swedish states man, advocated a pacific policy at a time when war on the slightest provocation was the watchword of every Swedish politician. In 1659 he succeeded Herman Fleming as lord high treasurer, and was one of the council of regency appointed to govern Sweden during the minority of Charles XI. In 1661 he presented to the senate a plan which aimed at rendering Sweden altogether independent of foreign subsidies, by a policy of peace, economy and trade-development, and by further recovery of alienated estates.
His budget in the following year, framed on the same principles, subsequently served as a guide to Charles XI. Bonde's tenacity of purpose enabled him for some years to fulfil his programme; but the ambition of the oligarchs, and the fear and jealousy of innumerable monopolists who rose in arms against his policy of economy, by the resumption of the alienated Crown lands, proved at last too strong for Bonde, while the costly and useless expedi tion against Bremen in 1665, undertaken contrary to his advice, completed the ruin of the finances. He practically retired from the Government some time before his death.