The Politics of Change in the Baltic States

'The Politics of Change in the Baltic States' seeks to analyse the development of national identity and statehood in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in various stages of their history: as part of the Romanov Empire, the first period of independence, in the USSR and during the second period of independence after 1991. Throughout the course we will examine the sources of political power in the Baltic States and seek to understand the relationship between power, legitimacy and identity. Particular attention will be paid to the changes set in train by resumption of independence in 1991. The course will cover the following:

• The development of national consciousness

• The period of independent statehood

• World War II and Soviet occupation

• The independence movements

• Nation-building: citizenship and integration

• Building democracy: political institutions & party politics

• The politics of foreign policy: between Russia & Europe

• The politics of socio-economic change

• Return to the West? EU and NATO Enlargement

• Problems of post-accession

This page last modified 26 February, 2009 by Richard C. M. Mole