The Cornerstone of Economic Nationalism: National Self-image
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The Cornerstone of Economic Nationalism: National Self‑image Robert Mikecz1 Received: 25 January 2019 / Accepted: 25 July 2019 © Fudan University 2019
Abstract The focus of this article is Estonia’s post-socialist economic transition and the reasons behind the liberal nature of the country’s economic policies. I argue that the self-image of a nation plays a significant role in shaping its economic policies. Objectives associated with economic nationalism can be achieved through various means that can include strategies of economic liberalism as well. Thus, the concepts of economic nationalism and economic liberalism are not a dichotomy. I examine the construction of the Estonian self-image through the discourses of radical individualism and industriousness, historical suffering, desire for freedom and return to Europe and sense of abandonment. By showing how these discourses interact with the liberal paradigm, I claim that Estonian policy-makers chose liberal economic policies because they perceived them to most effectively serve their objectives. When economic policies are examined in view of the national self-image and motivation of policy-makers, the incongruence between economic nationalism and liberal policies disappears. Keywords Economic nationalism · Liberalism · Post-socialist transition · Estonia · Baltic · Central and Eastern Europe
1 Introduction Economic nationalism is on the resurgence. Donald Trump, President of the United States recently declared that he is a “Tariff Man” to whom national interests always come first. Brexit has dealt a blow to the liberal trend in global trade (The Economist 18.05.2019). Although Brexit has a strongly nationalist character, it is not a uniquely British phenomenon. Economic nationalism has gained strength in various European countries as well (Hopkin 2017). * Robert Mikecz [email protected] 1
Christ Church Business School, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury CT1 1QU, UK
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Even though both Donald Trump’s policies and Brexit lead to the rise of trade barriers, economic nationalism does not have to mean protectionism. Traditionally, economic nationalism has been associated with protectionism and mercantilism that contradict liberal policies with their emphasis on free trade and a passive, non-interventionist state (Baughn and Yaprak 1996; Nakano 2004; Abbas 2017). However, Helleiner (2002), Pickel (2003), Nakano (2004) and Johnson and Barnes (2015), and Reznikova et al. (2018) all provide evidence that liberal policies can be compatible with economic nationalism. The argument of this article is that the self-image of a nation is a crucial determinant of economic policy decisions. It defines the objectives as well as the strategies chosen. Depending on the objectives and the national self-image of policy-makers, strategies of economic nationalism can also include liberal policies. By using policy formulation in Estonia as a case, I show how Estonian national self-image has shaped econom
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