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Prof. Baldur Thorhallsson as a visiting professor at DPA Erkki Karo, 02.06.2010 15:42, E-mail to author

On June 1 Department of Public Administration organized, in cooperation with Estonian Foreign Policy Institute, an open lecture at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The lecture titled 'David against Goliath: How can a small state strengthen its position: The case of Iceland'  was given by Prof. Baldur Thorhallsson (in this picture with Prof. Tiina Randma-Liiv from DPA).

Prof. Thorhallsson is a Jean Monnet Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Board of the Institute of International Affairs and Centre for Small State Studies at the University of Iceland. His research focuses on small state studies, European integration and Iceland's foreign policy. He has recently published some outstanding books on small states and can be considered as the most important active researcher in the field of small state studies - see more on him here. 

In spring 2010 Prof. Thorallson has been also a Guest Professor at the Department of Public Administration of TUT.

The lecture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concentrated on the recent economic crash experienced by Iceland and how Iceland as a small state has had to deal with the economic and foreign policy problems. Prof. Thorhallsson's lecture highlighted the challenges that small states face in the context of global politico-economic arena influenced by the neoliberal discourse. The lecture and the following discussion were centered on how can small states balance between internal and external buffers to overcome the politico-economic fluctuations that affect small states more severely than larger and more powerful countries. The discussion concluded that neither over-reliance on internal buffers (isolation and emphasis on politico-economic autonomy) nor over-relaince on external buffers (reliance on a 'powerful neighbor or a friend' or international organization, such as the EU) may be sufficient for small states to overcome the politico-economic uncertainties.

The visit of Prof. Thorhallsson has been important to reinforce the old links and close cooperation between DPA and the Centre for Small State Studies.