Does Economic Nationalism Empower People? Evidence from East Central Europe

Professor Klaus Richter Inaugural

Since the 2008 financial crisis, economic nationalism has made a remarkable comeback. Yet economists largely agree that, as a response to downturns, economic nationalism is ineffective. Instead of leading to recovery, it makes everybody poorer. But can economic nationalism also have empowering effects? Answering this requires a historical investigation that traces not only politics, but also the changing expectations that societies have of the state across the traditional chronological, political, and ideological divides. 

In modern Eastern Europe, these divides, caused by imperial rule, war, foreign occupation, and changing economic systems, have been particularly profound. Moreover, support for economic nationalism is higher here than elsewhere in today’s Europe. In this talk, Professor Richter argues that this entrenched support is a product of a long history of national sovereignty under threat. Rather than reflecting the chimerical, emotive nature of nationalism, support for economic nationalism in Eastern Europe seems to be best studied not as inherently anti-liberal, but as rational and founded on historical experiences. 

Inaugural lectures are a landmark in academic life, held on the appointment of new professorships. Join us to learn more about the work of Professor Klaus Richter. 

The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.

You can learn more about our other forthcoming talks and view our archive of previous lectures on our CAL Inaugural Lectures webpage.