E ́lite vs. People? Eurosceptic Public Opinion in Estonia

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12240240
AutoresRaivo Vetik (0000-0003-1352-4682, Pedagogical University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2003
Volumen16
Número2
Páginas257-271
Fecha de publicación2003-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCambridge Review of International Affairs (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0955-7571 • E-ISSN: 1474-449X
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09557570302046
OpenAlexW2086162973
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas12
Referencias citadas10

This paper discusses Estonian public debate and public opinion regarding the pros and cons of joining the European Union (EU). It is shown that a stark contrast exists between the dispositions of Estonian e ́lites and mass public opinion--the former unambiguously pro-European, and the latter considerably eurosceptical. This paper aims to uncover the reasons behind that euroscepticism through focusing on the issues of identity construction in e ́lite EU discourse, limited popular trust regarding political institutions, high levels of social polarisation, and modest knowledge of EU-related matters among everyday Estonians. It is argued that the result of the forthcoming EU referendum in Estonia will most likely be a yes-vote, but that the success of further integration into the EU will require policy changes both in the domestic arena and in the relationship between the EU and Estonia

Brexit · Economic policy · Economics · Estonian · European integration · European union · Identity (music · Linguistics · Mass media · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Referendum · Sociology · European Politics and Security · European Union Policy and Governance · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Public Administration