Nation-Building in the Baltic States : Transforming Governance, Social Welfare, and Security in Northern Europe

The Product Of More Than Twenty Years Of Research, First-person Observations, Discussions, And Policy Analyses, Nation-building In The Baltic States: Transforming Governance, Social Welfare, And Security In Northern Europe Explores The Characteristics Of The Baltic States As Positioned In The Northeast Corridor In Terms Of Military Strife And Polity Development Such As Democratization. It Details Governments' Efforts To Abet Transparency And Trust By Way Of Developing New Public And Private Institutions For Advancements Like Innovation And Private Wealth Creation. The Book Examines The Effects Of Various Factors Of Economic And Social Adjustments In Estonia, Latvia, And Lithuania. The Authors Explore The Opportunities And Problems That Have Shaped The Region's Progress In The Process Of Rebuilding Democratic Institutions And Nation States After Regaining Their Independence. They Then Describe The Region's Progress In Laying The Critical Internal Foundation Necessary For Maintaining Their Political Independence. The Book Also Reviews The Progress Made In Strengthening What The Authors Believe Are Key Social Functions Of Government In What The Eu Describes As Its Social Market System: The Provision Of Social Welfare Services That Meets The Needs Of All. The Book Concludes With A Realistic Picture Of Future Hurdles For This Region, Looking At Lingering Challenges And Regional Instabilities, Policy Mistakes Not To Be Made Again, And Recommendations For National Planning And Resource Management. Going Beyond A Massive, Single Explanation Of Recent Baltic Developments, The Book Provides A Broad Picture Of Development Of Social And Political Trends And Insights With Separate Evaluations Of Issues In The Process Of National Transformation. It Provides A Foundation Examining The Forces That Will Shape The Future Of The Baltic States. 1. Transformation Challenges -- 2. Transforming The Polity -- 3. Shaping The Nation State -- 4. Building Social Capital -- 5. Forming Civil Society -- 6. Nurturing Democratic Institutions -- 7. Transforming Social Welfare -- 8. Transforming Education Systems -- 9. Transforming Fiscal Governance -- 10. Shaping Baltic States' Security -- 11. Managing Transformation. Gundar J. King, David E. Mcnabb. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 235-258) And Index. Front Cover 1 Contents 11 Preface 17 About the Authors 21 Chapter 1: Transformation Challenges 23 Chapter 2: Transforming the Polity 43 Chapter 3: Shaping the Nation State 65 Chapter 4: Building Social Capital 87 Chapter 5: Forming Civil Society 107 Chapter 6: Nurturing Democratic Institutions 129 Chapter 7: Transforming Social Welfare 151 Chapter 8: Transforming Education Systems 175 Chapter 9: Transforming Fiscal Governance 197 Chapter 10: Shaping Baltic States’ Security 221 Chapter 11: Managing Transformation 243 References 257 Back Cover 281