suomistaminen

Suomistaminen is a Finnish term that loosely translates to "to Finlandize." It refers to the historical policy of appeasement and adaptation by Finland towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War, particularly after World War II. The term implies a loss of genuine sovereignty and a degree of subservience to a larger, more powerful neighbor. While Finland maintained its independence and a market economy, its foreign policy was significantly shaped by the need to avoid provoking the Soviet Union. This often involved careful neutrality, avoiding alliances with Western powers like NATO, and engaging in trade with the USSR. The extent to which this policy was a pragmatic necessity for survival or a genuine compromise of national interests remains a subject of historical debate. The concept of "suomistaminen" highlights the delicate balancing act faced by smaller nations bordering powerful autocratic states. It is not a term generally used by Finns themselves to describe their own policies but is more often used by external observers and historians.