The biggest winner of the election in 2007 was the “party of the non-voters”. They got nearly 39 %. In the first two parliamentary elections after the independence in 1991 the part of the non-voters was about 32 % (1992) and 31 % (1995). The peak was in 1999: 43 % of people didn’t go the election. Reetz is speaking about a gap between the political problems and the interests of the people. Because of the perception of the elites is different from the ordinary people’s perception.
It is very surprising, that nearly every party, which is in the Riigikogu is centre, centre-right or liberalistic. Maybe this is a result of the Soviet occupation and the experiences of this time. However in the future there could be a general movement to the left, because the competition on the democratic right could become to strong.
After all parties are not static – they have to change themselves if they want to participate because they are a part of the society and the society changes too. On the other hand the result of a free competition is parties will fill political gaps by changing their attitudes to achieve new voters.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Tasks and functions of a political party
- Different possibilities to explain what a political party is
- General explanation
- Political party according to Max Weber
- Political party according to Sigmund Neumann
- Estonian Political Party Act
- Tasks and functions in a multi-party system with coalition governments
- Relation society → state
- Parties in the government
- Different possibilities to explain what a political party is
- Political parties in Estonia at present
- Reform party (Eesti Reformierakond)
- Centre Party (Eesti Keskerakond)
- Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit)
- Social Democratic Party (Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond - SDE)
- Greens (Eestimaa Rohelised)
- People's Union of Estonia (Eestimaa Rahvaliit)
- Other parties
- Prospects and visions
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to examine the role and function of political parties in a modern parliamentary democracy, specifically within the Estonian context. It explores various perspectives on defining political parties, analyzing their tasks and functions within a multi-party system featuring coalition governments. The essay also provides an overview of the Estonian political landscape and its major parties. * The role and definition of political parties. * The functions of parties in a multi-party system. * The relationship between political parties and the state in a democracy. * An overview of major Estonian political parties. * Prospects for the future of Estonian political parties.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction raises questions about the necessity and function of political parties in modern democracy, highlighting historical examples of the dangers of those claiming to possess singular truth. Chapter 2 explores different perspectives on defining political parties, drawing on the theories of Max Weber and Sigmund Neumann, and referencing the Estonian Political Party Act. It then details the roles parties play in connecting society and state within a multi-party system with coalition governments, emphasizing their roles in elections, interest articulation, and government formation. Chapter 3 provides an overview of several prominent Estonian political parties, including the Reform Party, the Centre Party, and the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica, briefly outlining their ideologies and electoral performance. The essay concludes with a look towards future prospects.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Estonian political parties, multi-party system, coalition government, parliamentary democracy, party function, Max Weber, Sigmund Neumann, Reform Party, Centre Party, Pro Patria and Res Publica Union, elections, political ideology.- Quote paper
- Diplom-Verwaltungswirt (FH) Matthias Will (Author), 2007, Estonian Parties at present and a generally reflection on their importance to a modern democracy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/124750
