9 - Conclusion and Outlook: Explaining Economic Nationalism

Summary

The conclusion draws the historical threads together and explains the causes of economic nationalism. It is most useful to think of nationalists as reacting to economic inequality. If inequality occurs between nations, we are more likely to witness expansionist ideas gain prominence. If inequality occurs within nations and is blamed on integration with the world economy, this is most likely to give rise to isolationist ideas. Both kinds of economic inequality are often accentuated by political inequalities. The motive for catch-up growth becomes more pressing if the nation is seen as politically subordinate within a system of imperial rule. Domestic inequalities are frequently given salience if they correspond to ethnic divisions within society. Based on these insights, the conclusion casts its gaze forward and predicts that both strands of economic nationalism will continue to shape economic policy in the near future.