Nation-building in the Baltic States: transforming governance, social welfare, and security in Northern Europe

Collection:
Mokslo publikacijos / Scientific publications
Document Type:
Knygos / Books
Language:
Anglų kalba / English
Title:
Nation-building in the Baltic States: transforming governance, social welfare, and security in Northern Europe
Authors:
Publication Data:
Boca Raton [etc.] : CRC Press, 2015.
Pages:
XIX, 266 p
Contents:
Preface — About the authors — Transformation challenges — Historical perspective — Geographic influences — Geopolitical influences — Cultural influences — Demographic influences — Economic influences — Conclusion — Transforming the polity — Establishing a government structure — Evolutionary transformation — Stages of transformation — Stage one transformation: 1990-1994 — Second-stage government reforms: 1995-2003 — Third-stage government reforms: 2004-2013 — Conclusion — Shaping the nation state — Six stages of change — Adopting democracy and the rule of law — The Baltic States as free, pluralistic societies — System transformation — Changing the rules — Changes needed for nation-state status — Factors resisting change — The minority factor in nation building — Conclusion — Building social capital — Rules and norms — Networks and social interaction — Trust as social capital — Civism as social capital — Conclusion — Forming civil society — Civil society defined — EU support for civil society development — Civil society policy in Estonia — Civil society in Latvia — Civil society in Lithuania — The media and civil society — Conclusion — Nurturing democratic institutions — Democratic institutions — Democratic institutions in the Baltic States — Growth of political parties — A legacy of corruption — Revitalizing voter participation — Conclusion — Transforming social welfare — Comparing traditions — Evolution of public welfare systems — The European Union core social model — Selected features of national welfare policies — Social welfare policies in Estonia — Social welfare and health policies in Latvia — Social welfare and health policies in Lithuania — Baltic States' overall well-being — Conclusion — Transforming education systems — Slow reform progress — Education and development — Education system foundations — Phases of education transformation — Transforming education in Estonia —Transforming education in Latvia — Transforming education in Lithuania — Halfway point — Conclusion — Transforming fiscal governance — Reform progress — Functional relationships — Fiscal governance in the Baltic States — Budgeting in Estonia — Budgeting in Latvia — Budgeting in Lithuania — Additional objectives — Conclusion — Shaping Baltic States' security — Security and independence — Increasing security risks — Evolution of post-Soviet Russian policies — The Baltic States, Russia, and NATO — Rebuilding Russian armed forces — Baltic defense capability — Weighing the balance — Conclusion — Managing transformation — Planning for the future — Common problems, separate goals — Major long-term issues — Conclusion — References — Index.
Subject Category:
LT
Estija (Estonia); Lietuva (Lithuania); Politinės partijos / Political parties; Rinkimai ir balsavimas / Electoral procedure and voting; Švietimas. Švietimo politika / Education. Education policy; Latvija (Latvia).
Reviews:
Recenzija leidinyje Journal of Baltic Studies. 2015, vol. 46, no. 2, p. 269-271
Summary / Abstract:

ENThe product of more than twenty years of research, first-person observations, discussions, and policy analyses, Nation-Building in the Baltic States: Transforming Governance, Social Welfare, and Security in Northern Europe explores the characteristics of the Baltic states as positioned in the northeast corridor in terms of military strife and polity development such as democratization. It details governments' efforts to abet transparency and trust by way of developing new public and private institutions for advancements like innovation and private wealth creation. The book examines the effects of various factors of economic and social adjustments in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The authors explore the opportunities and problems that have shaped the region's progress in the process of rebuilding democratic institutions and nation states after regaining their independence. They then describe the region's progress in laying the critical internal foundation necessary for maintaining their political independence. The book also reviews the progress made in strengthening what the authors believe are key social functions of government in what the EU describes as its social market system: the provision of social welfare services that meets the needs of all. The book concludes with a realistic picture of future hurdles for this region, looking at lingering challenges and regional instabilities, policy mistakes not to be made again, and recommendations for national planning and resource management. Going beyond a massive, single explanation of recent Baltic developments, the book provides a broad picture of development of social and political trends and insights with separate evaluations of issues in the process of national transformation. It provides a foundation examining the forces that will shape the future of the Baltic states.

ISBN:
9781482250718
Subject:
Permalink:
https://www.lituanistika.lt/content/64098
Updated:
2026-02-25 13:36:08
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