The Transformation of Baltic Political Culture

Abstract

Beginning with the fall of communism in the early 1990s, the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have experienced a major social, economic, and political transformation. Private ownership and multi-party systems have been restored and are functioning. Since 1990, citizens have taken part in parliamentary, municipal, and in Lithuania in two presidential elections. Multi-party systems have been re-established. For instance, by 2000 in Lithuania — a country with 3.8 million inhabitants and about 2.5 million registered voters — there were 37 registered political parties. Over 80 percent of the businesses in the Baltics are managed by private owners. Each of the three countries re-introduced national currency in 1993. And they have restored their memberships in major international organizations. In addition, the Baltic countries have clearly expressed the wish to join such organizations as the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The editors are indebted to Richard I. Hofferbert for his work in producing a polished English version of this chapter.