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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Tasks and functions of a political party
2.1 Different possibilities to explain what a political party is
2.1.1 General explanation
2.1.2 Political party according to Max Weber
2.1.3 Political party according to Sigmund Neumann
2.1.4 Estonian Political Party Act
2.2 Tasks and functions in a multi-party system with coalition governments
2.2.1 Relation society ↔ state
2.2.2 Parties in the government
3. Political parties in Estonia at present
3.1 Reform party (Eesti Reformierakond)
3.2 Centre Party (Eesti Keskerakond)
3.3 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit)
3.4 Social Democratic Party (Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond - SDE)
3.5 Greens (Eestimaa Rohelised)
3.6 People‘s Union of Estonia (Eestimaa Rahvaliit)
3.7 Other parties
4. Prospects and visions
5. sources
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the foundational role and functions of political parties within a modern parliamentary democracy, with a specific focus on the Estonian political landscape as of 2007. It addresses the definition of parties, their societal obligations, and the dynamics of Estonia's multi-party coalition system.
- Theoretical definitions of political parties (Weber, Neumann).
- Tasks of parties in parliamentary and coalition-based systems.
- Detailed profiles of major Estonian political parties.
- Analysis of voter participation and the impact of the 2007 parliamentary elections.
- Future prospects and trends for the Estonian party system.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.2 Political party according to Max Weber
In the centre of Max Weber’s political researches power is the most important thing. For him power is “every opportunity within a social relationship to have one‘s way even there is opposition”. So a political party is a group, which is moving towards the power and of course it is in competition with other groups to come into power. So the main aim of a party is to rule. Otherwise this definition of Max Weber is a little bit simplified and doesn’t cover all aspects of a party because there a lot of people being a member of a party and who are not only interested in moving towards the power. They become members because parties are also social groups.
In his theories there is another very important reflection. Parties (should) have the function to connect the state with the society.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the general skepticism toward political parties and poses the central question regarding their necessity and function in a modern democracy.
2. Tasks and functions of a political party: This chapter analyzes various definitions of political parties and their essential functions in connecting society with the state within a multi-party coalition framework.
3. Political parties in Estonia at present: This section provides a detailed breakdown of the major Estonian political parties, including their ideologies, leadership, and performance in the 2007 parliamentary elections.
4. Prospects and visions: This chapter discusses voter trends, specifically the high number of non-voters, and reflects on the potential future shifts in the Estonian political spectrum.
5. sources: This section lists the literature and online resources used to compile the analysis.
Keywords
Estonia, Political Parties, Democracy, Riigikogu, Coalition, Parliament, Elections, Reform Party, Centre Party, Ideology, Voter Participation, Parliamentary Democracy, Politics, State, Society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The essay examines the fundamental nature of political parties and provides a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape in Estonia as of 2007.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The paper covers political science theory regarding party functions, the role of political parties in parliamentary democracies, and detailed profiles of specific Estonian political entities.
What is the main objective of this study?
The goal is to define the role of political parties in a modern democracy and analyze their performance, functions, and challenges within the specific context of Estonia.
Which methodology is applied?
The author uses a qualitative approach, combining political theory (referencing Weber and Neumann) with an empirical analysis of election results and organizational structures of Estonian parties.
What is discussed in the main body?
The main body investigates the theoretical definitions of parties, their duties in coalition systems, and provides descriptive summaries of all major political parties active in Estonia at the time of writing.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The most important keywords include Estonia, political parties, parliamentary democracy, coalition, elections, and political ideology.
How does the author define a political party based on Max Weber?
According to Weber, a party is a group aiming for power and rule within a social relationship, though the author notes this view is somewhat simplified as it overlooks the social aspects of party membership.
What significant trend is identified regarding the Estonian electorate?
The author highlights a growing "party of non-voters," noting that participation rates have fluctuated, with a significant portion of the population choosing not to cast a ballot in parliamentary elections.
- Citation du texte
- Diplom-Verwaltungswirt (FH) Matthias Will (Auteur), 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
