|
 Estonia
isn’t tiny any more than a person measuring 1 meter 50 is a dwarf.
Sure, Estonia’s a small country, especially compared to Russia.
But most places look small compared to Russia. Save words like tiny
for the real tiddlers, like Iceland, Luxembourg or, by population,
Greenland. Driving from east to west in Estonia takes most of a day,
like it would in Belgium. And don’t forget: small can be beautiful,
and nimble, and flexible. One reason that Estonia has managed so well
in the decade since the end of Soviet occupation is its size:
information flows quickly, social trust is high; and decisions can be
taken quickly. As recent Estonian President Lennart Meri said about
the country’s ability to make economic changes: “Estonia’s like
an Eskimo’s kayak and can turn on the spot. Bigger countries
are like a supertanker that needs 16 nautical miles.”
Next Misconception
|
