Title: International Integration and Globalization. Governance Strategies of Small Countries since the late 19th century

Contact Information: Timo Myllyntaus, Department of Social Science History, PL 54 (Snellmaninkatu 14), FIN-00 014 University of Helsinki, Finland. Ph: +358 -9-191 24900. Fax: +358 -9-191 24924. Email: Timo.Myllyntaus@helsinki.fi

Other Organizers: Dr. Hein A. M. Klemann (Department of History, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands); Dr. Margrit Müller (Department of Economic History, University of Zurich, Switzerland)

Description: The ongoing process of globalization has the effect that economic conditions within large countries become more similar to those of small countries. We therefore propose to focus research on the ways small countries have attempted to cope with globalization and de-globalization since the late 19th century. We are convinced that such an approach should lead to interesting insights and contribute to a more differentiated view on the causes and consequences of globalization and the scope of international institutions. One way to cope with changing constraints on the world market is to participate in international organizations. However, the attitude of small countries towards international agreements differed. What were their economic motives to participate or not in international organizations? How did firms and industries cope with the consequences of integration or dis-integration? What was the effect on overall economic performance and domestic policies? The questions raised are of general interest and should contribute to a better understanding of current and future developments not only in small but also in large countries.

Participants:Olle Krantz (Sweden); Herman de Jong and J.P. Smits (The Netherlands); Even Lange and Helge Pharo (Norway); Hein A. M. Klemann (The
Netherlands); Maurice Fitzgerald; Pierre du Bois; Felix Butschek; Hans Otto
Frøland (Norway); Richard T. Griffiths; Helge Pharo (Norway); Johnny
Laursen; Birgit Karlsson (Sweden); Timo Myllyntaus (Finland); Margrit Müller
(Switzerland); Hein A. M. Klemann (The Netherlands); Ola Honningdal Grytten
(Norway); Kersti Ullenhag (Sweden); Anne-Lise Head-König; Lars Svensson
(Sweden); Maria Eugénia Mata (Portugal); Patrick Halbeisen; Isabelle
Cassiers and Philippe Ledent (Belgium); Timo Myllyntaus (Finland); Ivan
Jakubec; Ludovit Hallon; Franjo Stiblar; Gudmundur Jonsson and Sigurdur
Snaevarr (Iceland); Hans Otto Frøland (Norway); Thomas David, André Mach and
Tobias Straumann.