scholarly journals Self-Defense Mechanisms of Democracy during the Crisis: The Baltic States in Comparative Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Joanna Rak
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Political Party ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
The Political ◽  
Use Of Self ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
People's Party ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
Legal Structures ◽  
The Baltic

Theoretically embedded in studies on militant democracy, the study offers a comparative analysis of the use of self-defense mechanisms of democracy during the Coronavirus Crisis in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. The research aims to identify what anti-democratic measures were adopted to influence the sovereignty of the political nations and which served to either strengthen, maintain or undermine that sovereignty. Although neo-militant democracy goals prevailed in the Baltic states’ pre-pandemic political and legal structures, the pandemic-induced measures resulted in variation. In Estonia, the restrictions put the sovereignty of the political nation in jeopardy. Simultaneously, in Lithuania and Latvia, the sovereignty of the political nations remained unthreatened. In Estonia, the electoral successes and increase in support for the extreme-right political party Conservative People’s Party of Estonia turned conducive to the movement from neo- towards quasi-militant democracy. In Lithuania and Latvia, the extreme groupings did not receive comparable support and could not initiate an anti-democratic turn.

scholarly journals Baltic States in NATO: Results of the Decade

2014 ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
V. V. Vorotnikov
Keyword(s):  
Armed Forces ◽  
Soviet Period ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Elites ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Open Door Policy ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
The Baltic

In the post-Soviet period participation in NATO was one of the major goals of euro-atlantic integration for the Baltic states. Political leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have considered participation in the alliance as an important element of euro-atlantic solidarity which allows small - from all viewpoints - states claim decision-making over global issues. This satisfies demands of the political elites and victimized public consciousness for more security, makes it possible for elites to consider their states as bulwark against Russia. Throughout the whole decade, such reasoning has been reflected in doctrines and speeches of Baltic politicians. After joining NATO, the Baltic states became the most active supporters of a deeper integration in the military area and "open door" policy. They have continued reforming their armed forces and renovating military infrastructure. They have acquired "specialization" within NATO by establishing centers of excellence. In terms of euro-atlantic solidarity, the participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afganistan has become the most important international project for the Baltic states. However, only Estonia managed to mount their defence expenses to the level of 2% GDP. During the „Ukranian crisis" the issue of Baltic membership in NATO acquired special importance. Confrontational rhetoric and appeals to "Russian threat" in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, on the one hand, make it possible for their political leaders to constantly demonstrate their importance in the eyes of Western partners and demand more activity of the alliance and, on the other hand, make ground for the political elites to consolidate the electorate, by that ensuring that the right-wing conservative forces remain in power.

scholarly journals Russian Elections in Post-Soviet Eurasia: The Factor of Diaspora

2021 ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Pavel Vorobyev
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
The Baltic

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of holding Russian elections in neighboring countries. Using the example of the Russian presidential elections in 2018 in Belarus, Moldova and the Baltic states, the results of voting, the peculiarities of the organization of the expression of will and the final turnout are analyzed. Based on quantitative and qualitative data, as well as comparative analysis, measures are proposed to improve the process of foreign voting in Russian elections.

scholarly journals COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF POST-RECESSION STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE IN THE BALTIC STATES

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Irina Pilvere ◽  
Aija Pilvere-Javorska ◽  
Baiba Rivza
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Market Performance ◽  
Bank Lending ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Market Capitalization ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Stock Market Performance ◽  
The Baltic

Stock market is alternative place to bank lending for company’s finance and contributor to economic development. Baltic States is market, which traditionally is perceived as one, however it is comprised of 3 separate stock markets. Research aim was to conduct comparative analysis of stock market development performance post-recession in the Baltic States.. In order to perform analysis, number of listed companies, their market capitalization and structure in Baltic States were analyzed and also compared to main economic indicators structure in 2008-2018 6 months. The main research methods are: analysis, synthesis, the logical construction method, the induction and deduction methods, as well as time series analysis. Authors have determined main stock market performance indicators and compared stock market indicators structure with Baltic region’s economic structure. Research results indicates that number of listed companies had increased only in Estonia, also market capitalization there had experienced their value to more than double in analyzed period. In Lithuania number of companies had declined, while market capitalization the growth was slower when compared to in Estonia, while more linear. In turn, stock market capitalization and number of listed companies in Latvia were declining in 2008-2018 6 months. Overall number of listed companies in Baltic States was decreasing, while their market capitalization is increasing, but still is only 60% of value it was in pre-recession year 2007. In Estonia and in Lithuania average listed companies are larger in size, when compared to in Latvia. Size of average listed companies on stock market in Estonia and in Lithuania more than doubled in size, while in Latvia it showed insignificant growth. Stock market indicators’ structure had insignificant deviations from the main economic indicator structure in 2008, while in 6 months 2018 dynamics in Latvia stock market parameters had dropped in the structure among all 3 Baltic States. Overall, in Latvia stock market is lagging behind, when compared to one in Estonia and in Lithuania in analyzed period, thus all 3 Baltic States has had asymmetrical recovery and development speed post-recession.

A Century of the Baltic States’ Independence: Some Similarities and Differences with Bulgaria

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-76
Author(s):  
Gabriela Belova ◽  
Nikolay Marin
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Political Development ◽  
100Th Anniversary ◽  
The Political ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Common Problems ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
The Baltic

The article scrutinizes the Baltic States and their century of independence which have been the focus of interest of various sciences. On the occasion of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of the Baltic States – Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia – some parallels could be drawn with the historical, economic and political development of these countries and Bulgaria. These parallels are not only found in the political and legal period but are contained in different stages, which shows the interesting legal and political nature of the Baltic States and some of their common problems and events with the countries of Eastern Europe and, in particular, the example with Bulgaria. The article has also drawn attention to a significant problem that the three Baltic States and Bulgaria have to deal with, namely the demographic crisis. This problem is particularly important in the light of migratory pressures that the countries outlining the external borders of the European Union are facing and it involves systematic and long-term efforts.

scholarly journals Theoretical Old-Age Pension Benefits and Replacement Rates in the Baltic States: A Retrospective Simulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Rajevska
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Pension Plan ◽  
Average Salary ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Pension Systems ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
Baseline Case ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Pension Benefits

Abstract The author presents a comparative analysis of old-age pension systems in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania using a method of retrospective simulation run on a self-developed model. The model baseline case is a person retiring in December 2014 after 40 years of service with nationwide average salary. Other cases include low and high-earners, funded schemes participants and simulations for modified notional capital valorisation formulae. Three study countries return very dissimilar results, which is caused by differences in their pension systems’ designs. Lack of non-contributory element (basic pension) in Latvia leads to a low degree of progressivity, with inexcusably low pensions to low-earners and excessively generous pensions to high-earners. Participation in funded pillar II schemes has not brought any significant gains to pension plan sharers. Notional capital valorisation rules adopted in different countries that use the NDC-system significantly influence pension amount.

Russia and the Baltic states: problematizing the Soviet legacy discourse

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulia Nikitina
Keyword(s):  
The Political ◽  
Baltic States ◽  
Independent State ◽  
Soviet Space ◽  
Soviet Legacy ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Former Soviet Republics ◽  
Post Soviet Space

Most studies of the post-Soviet space often explicitly or implicitly analyze Russia not as a new independent state but as the political successor of the USSR, thereby almost automatically leading to conclusions about Russian neo-imperialism. This paper explains how distorted discourses on the Soviet legacy originated and how they obstruct equal relations between Russia and other former Soviet republics using the example of the Baltic states.

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