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https://doi.org/10.5922/2079-8555-2023-1-3
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Estonian 'Balticness' as a social construct: meanings and contextual specifics
[journal article]
Abstract This paper explores the Estonian vision of Baltic identity. Estonia's authorities have repeatedly articulated their scepticism towards the concept of a stand-alone 'Baltic region' and the inclusion of Estonia in it, preferring to position their state as a Nordic country. Yet, in numerous cases, they... view more
This paper explores the Estonian vision of Baltic identity. Estonia's authorities have repeatedly articulated their scepticism towards the concept of a stand-alone 'Baltic region' and the inclusion of Estonia in it, preferring to position their state as a Nordic country. Yet, in numerous cases, they have clearly labelled Estonia as a Baltic State. To identify the contexts and meanings labelling the country as a Baltic State, this contribution provides a content analysis of official speeches given by Estonia's political leadership. It is concluded that, despite the visibility of socioeconomic issues in the discourse, the most comprehensive image of Estonian 'Balticness' is constructed by interconnected narratives built around the Soviet past and the 'security threats' associated with Russia. The theoretical framework of regionalism, which allows one to consider the Baltics as a social construct rather than a set of material factors, provides an additional explanatory model.... view less
Keywords
Estonia; Baltic States; regional identity; regionalism; USSR successor state
Classification
Area Development Planning, Regional Research
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
Baltic States; constructivism
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 34-51
Journal
Baltic Region, 15 (2023) 1
ISSN
2310-0524
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed