‘Even a Small Nation…’: The Idea of National Mission in Interwar Estonian Nationalism and its Political Implications

• In Event: Nationalism and Ethnic Relations up until World War II

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the idea of national mission and its political implications and applications in interwar Estonia. This paper draws on Anthony Smith’s argument that national mission should be regarded as one of the core concepts of modern nationalism. (e.g, Smith, 2001; Smith, 2003) Various theorists of nationalism conceptualise the idea of national mission as a sense of chosenness and a nation’s collective duties, associating it with the idea of national particularity. (e.g, Roshwald, 2006; Smith, 2001; Smith 2003)

This paper focuses on interwar Estonian nationalism as an example of modern European nationalist discourses. It is argued that the idea of national mission held a prominent place in interwar Estonian nationalism. The paper aims to highlight the close connectedness of this idea with other core ideas, concepts and narratives of Estonian nationalism. Additionally, it argues that the idea of national mission was widely applied as an argument in various political debates throughout the interwar period. In this paper, the focus is given on its functions in debates over democracy and individuals’ autonomy within the national community during the 1930s. It is argued that the case of national mission reflects the significant role of ideas and concepts of nationalism as a source of political legitimation.

Roshwald, A. (2006) The Endurance of Nationalism. Ancient Roots and Modern Dilemmas. Cambridge University Press.
Smith, A.D. (2001). Nationalism: Theory, Ideology, History. Polity Press.
Smith, A.D. (2003). Chosen Peoples. Oxford University Press.

Short Bio

Liisi Veski is a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, Central and East European Studies, and at the University of Tartu, Philosophy. She has an MA degree in History from the University of Tartu. She has also studied at the University of Vienna and KU Leuven. Liisi’s research focuses on the intellectual and conceptual history of Estonian interwar nationalism. Her MA thesis concerned the discourse of national character. Her PhD thesis focuses on the concept of national unity in interwar Estonian nationalism.

Author

• Liisi Veski, University of Glasgow / University of Tartu