عنوان

Democracy in Estonia 1990-1998.

Number

TLets341031

Title Proper

Democracy in Estonia 1990-1998.

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Woods-Gallagher, S. A.

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2001

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

Manchester Metropolitan University

Text preceding or following the note

2001

Text of Note

AimsThere are four very broad aims to the thesis.To assess whether new dimensions of democracy are emergingThe first aim is to ascertain whether and in what senses new dimensionsof democracy are emerging in Estonia.To explore whether there is a democratic shortfallThe second aims is to consider the expectations of democracy both of thenon-elite and elite groups, and to compare these with democratic reality.To assess the development of a 'new' democracyThe third aim is to assess the development of a 'new' democracy. Estoniais a restored democracy.To challenge the ideas concerning previous democratic experienceThe fourth aim is to ascertain whether the 'restorationist principle' (Smith1995) has been an assistance or a hindrance to democratic stability.MethodsI attempt to create a comprehensive model from which to carry out ademocratic 'audit' of Estonia. Established democratic experiences andEstonian democratic experience will be used in determining benchmarksLe. prerequisites and indicators for an analytical model from which toconsider the re-established democracy in Estonia. This analytical modelwill help to identify certain characteristics of representative or pluralistdemocracy and its support systems, for instance historical background andpolitical culture. Indicators are used, such as the level of trust or distrustof politicians. Indicators are open to many different interpretations, forexample, why people do not vote in elections. These benchmarks andindicators facilitate a systematic comparative analysis and will help toestablish more precisely the character and potential stability of thedemocracy that is emerging in Estonia. Questionnaires and interviews are used Literature reviewA variety of literature has been used for this research, the main ones areconcerned with theory, in the form of up-to-date hooks and articles,post communist study, in the form of hooks, journals and websites andEstonia, in the form of journals, surveys and in particular, websites.Contribution to knowledgeThis study identifies gaps in knowledge and thus attempts to fill them.Estonia is a largely neglected country in the field of post communist studyand this thesis aims to bridge some of these gaps. Generally, this thesiswill contribute to the understanding of democracy, in particular stabledemocracy. It will challenge current understanding of stable democracy.It will examine whether a restored democracy is any more stable than a'new' democracy - in particular whether a prior recent experience ofdemocracy is an assistance or hindrance to democratic stability. It willcontribute to the knowledge and understanding of the experience of post-Soviet Russians living outside Russia, including the perspectives of theSoviet Russian immigrant community in Estonia. By employing Uteconcept of political stability it will be possible to assess whether Estoniawas more stable as an authoritarian regime. From a more generalperspective it may be possible to hypothesise about post communistdemocratic development. It could point to further lines of enquiry.

Democratic; Estonian; Elite; Restorationist

Woods-Gallagher, S. A.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

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Y