Lietuvos ir Estijos demokratijos palyginimas: skirtumai ir jų priežastys ; The comparison of Lithuanian and Estonian democracy: differences and their reasons

Abstract

The democratization process started in post-communits countries after the third wave of democratization. Democratic consolidation is the result of the democratic process that reflects the country's democratic status. It is expressed through the quality criteria of democracy. Political culture, economic and social situation and human rigths and freedoms are very important criteria which are used in order to explain the democracy's consolidation in Lithuania and Estonia. Those countries chose the democratic regime. However, it is noticed that there are differences between Lithuanian and Estonian democracy's consolidation. This is the main problem of this work. The problem's analysis is the aim of the research that is achieved by defining the concept of democracy and its conditions, making an analysis of Lithuanian and Estonian political culture, economic and social situation and the human rights and freedoms. So, the paper's object – is the consolidation of democracy in Lithuania and Estonia. The research uses descriptive and comparative methods that help to analyze the main differences and their reasons. The analysis has shown that Estonia has better economic and social situation than Lithuania since the becoming independent states. It could be influenced by advantageous geographical position, open market economy and German culture. The research has shown that when the economic situation is changing, the political culture is also changing at the same time. The comparison of democracy's consolidation has improved the fact that most of the citizens are inclined to trust in public institutions and government representatives when there are better socio-economic conditions in the state. People actively participate in elections and voluntary organizations. The work also has shown the main differences on Lithuanian and Estonian democracy's consolidation. Lithuanian democracy faces serious challenges. The main problem is related with the weakness of political culture. Although the economic differences between Lithuania and Estonia are not so big, but the activity of civil society, the confidence in political institutions and officers and attitudes to the future prospects are more optimistic. With regard to the rights and freedoms, the biggest noticeable difference – the political participation of non citizens.