Crystallizing and Emancipating Identities in Post-Communist Estonia

Abstract

This article concerns collective identities in the context of EU enlargement and the post-Soviet transition of Estonian society, particularly of the two main ethno-linguistic groups: ethnic Estonians and the Russian-speaking population in Estonia. The empirical basis of the study is formed by factor structures of self-identification. The data were obtained from nationally representative surveys carried out in 2002, before Estonia joined the EU, and in 2005. The thinking patterns behind the structures of self-categorization are discussed mainly on the basis of theoretical concepts of individualization and transition culture. For background information, comparative data collected in Latvia (2006) and in Sweden (2003) are used. The survey results reveal that in the post-communist transformation, EU integration and spread of global mass culture have homogenized the mental patterns of the Estonians and the Russians. It is characteristic of post-communist Estonia that both minority and majority groups have utilized trans-national and civic identity and individualistic patterns of selfidentification in terms of (sub)culture and social and material achievement, extracted from social norms and existing structures. Surveys confirm that for political actors in both Estonia and Russia it is hardly possible any more to create a common umbrella identity for the Russians in Estonia-the self-designation patterns of the Estonian Russians have been emancipated during the transition period.The purpose of this study is to open the universalities and peculiarities of the formation of collective identities in post-communist Estonia, with special attention to the dynamics of the collective identities of the Russian minority. The cultural and political allegiances of the Russians between Russian, Western and local frames of reference have been the subject of extensive discussion. Despite the fact that during the first decade of the transition the Russian-speaking population used mainly individual adaptation strategies, researchers have proposed that social deprivation may lead to the formation of collective group consciousness and mobilization of the Russian-speaking community. 2 When discussing this issue, not only should the relations between the majority and minorities be taken into account but also the

Ethnic Differences in Activity Spaces: A Study of Out-of-Home Nonemployment Activities with Mobile Phone Data

“…During the Soviet era, Estonia had a linguistically separate school system, so the Estonian language skills of the Russian-speaking population remain poor for migrants and subsequent generations and opportunities for interethnic contact are limited. One of the consequences of this policy is that the social networks of Estonians and the Russian-speaking minority in Estonia today are different depending on their linguistic ability (T. Vihalemm 2007). The number of interethnic contacts that people have is a key factor that influences their spatial mobility outside the residential area.…”

“…Although a third of Estonians (and half of Estonians in Tallinn) and half of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia come into contact with people from the other ethnic group in the workplace, contact is rare in their private lives (Korts 2009). Personal and family networks are highly segregated along ethnic lines (T. Vihalemm 2007). Even in the capital city, the number of friends and acquaintances from the other ethnic group that people communicate with regularly is very small (Korts 2009).…”

Does Ethnicity Matter in Intentions to Study Abroad? Analysis of High School Students in Estonia

“…This implies that shared language and ethnic transnational ties to Russia are not the key factors that impact their decision-making with regard to foreign education. Being part of the EU, and the spread of global mass culture has had a homogenized impact on the value system and cultural orientation of the Estonian-speaking majority and the Russian-speaking minority (Vihalemm 2007), and this is clearly revealed in the orientation towards Europe in both groups.…”

Ethnic Segregation During Public and National Holidays: A Study Using Mobile Phone Data

“…Estonian society is relatively segregated in terms of each language groups' residence, socioeconomic position (Tammaru and Kulu 2003;van Ham and Tammaru 2011), and social networks (Vihalemm 2007). The Russian-speaking minority is geographically concentrated in certain areas.…”