The loss of innocence: The Icelandic fnancial crisis and colonial past (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)

Abstract

Iceland's increased involvement in global economic markets in the early 2000s came to a sudden halt in 2008, when the economic crisis hit Iceland severely. I focus on how this crisis was understood in Iceland as continuous with romantic nationalist narratives of the past. Nationalism in the early 20th century helped make sense of foreign investments in the boom period, building on a masculine image of the ‘Viking’ and specific characteristics of ‘the’ Icelanders. Icelanders’ take on Danish rule of Iceland up to the mid‐20th century continues to be relevant to understanding Icelandic identity, indicating how the colonial and imperialist period continues to haunt the present.