Title Strategic frames : Europe, Russia, and minority inclusion in Estonia and Latvia / Jennie L. Schulze

Published Pittsburgh, Pa. : University of Pittsburgh Press, [2018] ©2018

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Description 1 online resource (xxii, 394 pages) : illustrations Series Pitt series in Russian and East European studies Series in Russian and East European studies. Contents Introduction : the strategic framing of Baltic security : Europe, Russia, and minority inclusion -- 1. Setting the stage : the "nexus" in Estonia and Latvia -- 2. Making aliens and citizens in Estonia : from security to "conditionality" -- 3. Naturalization restrictions in Latvia : give a little, take a little -- 4. Naturalization for stateless children : Russia as a brake and an accelerator for reform -- 5. Language and electoral policies : debating Europe in Estonia and Russia in Latvia -- 6. Explaining strategic framing across cases : kin-state activism and domestic politics -- Conclusion : the path and form of policies : European institutions, kin-states, and minorities Summary Strategic Frames analyzes minority policies in Estonia and Latvia following their independence from the Soviet Union. It weighs the powerful influence of both Europe and Russia on their policy choices, and how this intersected with the costs and benefits of policy changes for the politicians in each state. Prior to EU accession, policymakers were slow to adopt minority-friendly policies for ethnic Russians despite mandates from the European Union. These initiatives faced majority opposition, and politicians sought to maintain the status quo and their positions. As Jennie L. Schulze reveals, despite the credit given to the democratizing influence of European institutions, they have rarely produced significant policy changes alone, and then only when domestic constraints were low. Whenever domestic opposition was high, Russian frames were crucial for the passage of reforms. In these cases, Russia's activism on behalf of Russian speakers reinforced European frames, providing powerful justifications for reform. Schulze's attention to both the strategic framing and counter framing of external actors explains the controversies, delays, and suboptimal outcomes surrounding the passage of "conditional" amendments in both cases, as well as the local political climate postaccession. Strategic Frames offers a significant reference on recent developments in two former Soviet states and the rapidly evolving spheres of political influence in the postindependence era that will serve students, scholars, and policymakers alike Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 353-370) and index Notes Online resource; title from PDF title page (EBSCO, viewed March 9, 2018) Subject Minorities -- Government policy -- Estonia Minorities -- Government policy -- Latvia Minorities -- Political activity -- Estonia Minorities -- Political activity -- Latvia FICTION -- General. HISTORY -- Europe -- Russia & the Former Soviet Union. Minorities -- Government policy Minorities -- Political activity Politics and government SUBJECT Estonia -- Politics and government -- 1991- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh92005522 Latvia -- Politics and government -- 1991- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh93005850 Subject Estonia Latvia Form Electronic book ISBN 9780822983095 0822983095

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