The Nationalist Dilemma: A Global History of Economic Nationalism, 1776–Present

Nationalists think about the economy, and this thinking matters once they hold political power. Some seek to limit global exchange while others prioritize economic development, and the tension between these two aims shapes nationalist policymaking — the dilemma of the title. Drawing on case studies from thirty countries, from the American Revolution to the rise of China, the book traces economic nationalism across 250 years and argues that its appeal rests on its capacity to capitalize on economic inequality, both domestic and international, reinforced by empire building, ethnic conflict, and financial crises.