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The Cornerstone of Economic Nationalism: National Self-image

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Christ Church Business School, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK

    Robert Mikecz

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  1. Robert Mikecz
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Correspondence to Robert Mikecz.

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Appendix

Appendix

List of interviewees

Interviewee 1

Prof. Urmas Varblane

Member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2008

Interviewee 2

Egle Käärats

Deputy Secretary General on Labour Policy, Ministry of Social Affairs

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2011

Interviewee 3

Dr. Margus Laidre

Represented the Republic of Estonia as Ambassador to Sweden, Germany and the UK, 1991–2014

Interview in London, UK, 2008

Interviewee 4

Mart Laar

Prime Minister of Estonia 1992—1994 and 1999—2002

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2008

Interviewee 5

Tiit Vähi

Prime Minister of Estonia 1990–1992 and 1995–1997

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2009

Interviewee 6

Dr. Ardo Hansson

Lead Economist, World Bank

Advisor to the Estonian government 1991—1997

Telephone interview, 2008

Interviewee 7

Prof. Jaak Leiman

Minister of Finance 1991–1992, 1996–1999

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2008

Interviewee 8

Prof. Enn Listra

Member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia

President of the Eastern Economic Association

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2008

Interviewee 9

Prof. Erik Terk

Deputy Minister of Economy 1989—1992

Director of Estonian Institute for Future Studies

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2009

Interviewee 10

Prof. Rein Ruutsoo

Former dissident, member of the Estonian Popular Front in the late 1980s and early 1990s

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2010

Interviewee 11

Siim Kallas

Vice President, European Commission 2010–2014

Prime minister of Estonia, 2002—2003

Minister of Finance, 1999—2002

Minister of Foreign Affairs, 1995—1996

President of the Bank of Estonia, 1991—1995

Chairman of the Central Union of the Estonian Trade Unions, 1989—1991

Chairman of the Central Authority of the Savings Banks, 1979–1986

Specialist at the Finance Ministry of the Estonian SSR, 1975—1979

Interview in Brussels, Belgium, 2009

Interviewee 12

Andres Tarand

Prime Minister of Estonia, 1994—1995

Member of the Estonian Parliament 1992—2004

MEP for the European Socialist Party

Interview in Tallinn, Estonia, 2009

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Mikecz, R. The Cornerstone of Economic Nationalism: National Self-image. Fudan J. Hum. Soc. Sci. 12, 587–608 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40647-019-00271-5

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