Nation-Building and Minority Politics in Post-Socialist States: Interests, Influence and Identities in Estonia and Latvia

David J. Galbreath

Mar 2005 · Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society Book 8 · Columbia University Press

About this ebook

Despite socialism's best efforts, ethnic identity remained a salient feature in Central and Eastern Europe. Not only did ethno-nationalism help to bring about the fall of the socialist regimes in this region, but it also characterized much of the post-socialist politics. Nation-Building and Minority Politics examines the issue of minority politics in post-socialist states within this dual structure. In particular, it offers an in-depth analysis of post-restoration politics in Estonia and Latvia, covering four issues. First, it looks at the historical context of the current group relations. Second, the study explores the domestic nature of minority politics in Estonia and Latvia by looking at domestic politics and policies. Third, it examines the role of the Russian Federation as an 'external national homeland' through illustrating developments within Russian foreign policy. Finally, the book analyses the role of three significant European organizations, namely the OSCE, EU and the Council of Europe as agents of 'conditionality'. Overall, this study combines old and new theoretical approaches to nation-building and minority politics to exhibit the changing nature of the relationship between majority, minority, external national homeland, and international organizations in today's Europe.

About the author

David J. Galbreath, PhD (Leeds '04), is Lecturer of Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen. In 2002-2003, he was a J. William Fulbright Research Fellow to Latvia. Galbreath’s publications include papers in Perspectives on East European Politics and Society as well as Politics. He is co-author of Democratization: A Critical Introduction (Basingstoke: Palgrave 2006) with Jean Grugel.The foreword author:David J. Smith is editor of the Journal of Baltic Studies, and co-convenor of the Baltic Research Unit as well as Lecturer in Central and East European studies at the University of Glasgow.