Acton Institute Powerblog

Reports on Globalization and National Capital

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Last month the World Bank published a report titled, “Where is the Wealth of Nations?” (HT: From the Heartland). The report


Also out recently is an index of the most globalized nations by Foreign Policy (HT: International Civic Engagement). The top ten, based on 2005 data, which claims to “measure countries on their economic, personal, technological, and political integration”:

  1. Singapore (252,607)
  2. Hong Kong (NR)
  3. Netherlands (421,389)
  4. Switzerland (648,241)
  5. Ireland (330,490)
  6. Denmark (575,138)
  7. United States (512,612)
  8. Canada (324,979)
  9. Jordan (31,546)
  10. Estonia (66,769)

In parenthesis after the name of the country in the top ten, I’ve placed the total wealth estimate for the year 2000 from the World Bank report (appendix 2 PDF).

Look at Estonia, for example. Even though its total wealth score is much smaller relative to other nations on the globalization list, the majority of its wealth score (41,802) in the World Bank report is garnered from “intangible capital,” which refers to, as the From the Heartland blogger put it, “the value of the nation’s economic and political institutions,” such as the rule of law. And now compare Estonia with the Republic of Congo, which has almost the same ratings in terms of tangible capital as Estonia, but whose -12,158 intangible capital rating keeps its total wealth score disturbingly low (3,516).

Clearly it isn’t the case that countries that only have rich natural resources have something to offer the international marketplace. Strong and responsible economic and political institutions can foster intellectual creativity, technological innovation, and social capital that more than makes up for deficits in natural resources.



  • Estonia’s success comes from the economic freedom allowed to their business. The ideas of the free market were boldly put into practice and the world is watching the growth of that country. Less than 20 years ago they were in conflict with Russia. The singing revolution inspired Estonia and other countries in the region to protest for their freedom. (There is a great Documentary about Estonia’s Singing Revolution: It’s an emotional insight to the revolution.

  • Dr. Maar Laar was honored with this year’s [url=]Faith & Freedom award [/url] for his role in implementing market reforms in Estonia.