Poliitika ja valitsemine digiajastul – Master´s theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10062/82875

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Green Deal, clean break: assessing securitization of clean energy transition in Europe in the process of energy decoupling from Russia
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Terentjev, Jan; Makarychev, Andrey, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The weaponisation of energy by Russia before and after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine has underscored the vulnerability of Europe's dependence on imported fossil fuels. This has catalysed a growing demand for a transition towards green energy, characterised by local sustainable energy productive and reduced vulnerability to energy market manipulation by external actors. Central to this transition is the European Green Deal, a comprehensive set of policy measures aimed at enabling the European Union to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This thesis investigated the impact of Russia's energy weaponisation and the war in Ukraine on the EU’s policy regarding the transition to clean and renewable energy sources, employing a conceptual framework of securitization using discourse analysis as the analytical framework. The primary objective was to assess whether the weaponisation of energy by Russia following the invasion of Ukraine has elevated the transition to clean energy from a climate sustainability issue to a security imperative for the European Union. Through a comprehensive analysis of European Commission’s policy proposals, this paper determined that the European Commission has successfully securitised the issue by framing Russian weaponisation of energy supply as an existential threat to be resolved with extraordinary measures aimed at expansion of clean energy transition initiatives in the EU. The continued securitisation of the European Green Deal may thus be crucial to ensuring the success of the clean energy transition in the European Union.
Winners’ bliss, losers' discontent: the impact of affective polarization on satisfaction with democracy in Europe
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Kondratyk, Yurii; Mölder, Martin, juhendaja; Reiljan, Andres, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Scholars worldwide increasingly argue that polarization is intensifying, impacting democratic processes. The issue of increasing polarization has been proven to be concerning and threatening, leading to violent political behavior, as evident in the case of the US Capitol storming. Yet, the academic debate surrounding this issue is itself deeply polarized. There is significant discussion about the nature of polarization, with the affective perspective on polarization emerging as a noteworthy alternative paradigm. Furthermore, there are assertions that claims regarding affective polarization's undermining of democratic norms are speculative. This polarized academic debate, lack of empirical evidence, the primary focus of the research on the US, and the knowledge gap regarding the impact of affective polarization on democratic satisfaction among electoral winners and losers serve as the catalyst for this thesis. This study, examining 33 different elections across 25 European polities, illuminates the contrast in democratic satisfaction between electoral winners and losers. It highlights that electoral losers, who are strongly attached to their party, experience a significant decline in their perception of democracy's function in their country. In comparison, such a tendency was not observed among the winners. However, a thorough exploration of each case demonstrates varying effects of the relationship.
Gender blind spots? Network structures and gender in smart mobility: Bangkok and Khon Kaen, Thailand
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Thitasut, Kavisara; Muhhina, Kristina, juhendaja; Pääbo, Heiko, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Adding to the critiques of smart city planning being gender-blind, the issue of gender and mobility persists. Network governance, a collaborative approach involving diverse actors, presents a potential solution. Theoretically, this non-hierarchical structure fosters inclusive policy design. This research addresses a critical gap in literature by examining how network structures influence the integration of gender considerations in smart mobility programs. Feminist urbanism and network theory inform this study. Employing a qualitative approach with coding techniques, the research investigated smart mobility programs in Bangkok and Khon Kaen, Thailand. Data included interviews with nine informants across four stakeholder groups and 17 relevant documents. While network structures differed across the cases, the analysis revealed no significant variation in the strategies for integrating gender considerations. These findings highlight the need to focus on understanding gender in their respective policy arena, within networks, regardless of structure. The research concludes with policy recommendations for designing more gender-responsive smart mobility programs.
Convergence or adaptation of cybersecurity policies: insights from Chile and Estonia
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Mendoza Schmitz, Catalina; Muhhina, Kristina, juhendaja; Homburg, Vincentius Martinus Franciscus; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The topic of this thesis is cybersecurity policies, particularly whether, how and why there may be differences and similarities between Estonia and Chile in the parliamentary debate. This study concludes that there are similarities, like the use of the EU directive policy or other cases, and differences, such as how the institutional system worked in each case. An explanation for this is that both respect international organisations and the policy they produce and that similar cases may produce emulation. However, internal elements may still have a significant role to play. This conclusion was formulated using policy convergence theory (PCT) and punctuated equilibrium theory (PET) as a theoretical foundation in a small-n, qualitative country comparison using parliamentary debates, policy documents and additional interview transcripts as data sources. This thesis ends with an overall reflection, lessons learned and recommendations for future research in this area. like the weight of PET in the elements discussed in the parliament, other factors that can contribute to the policy change in the domain of cybersecurity and further questions.
Mobilizing history: a longitudinal study of the changing depictions of Ukraine and Ukrainians in Russian history textbooks, 1995–2023
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Denysenko, Olena; Gibson, Catherine, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis is devoted to the examination of the changes in the Russian national narrative contained in the state-approved history textbooks published from 1995 to 2023 with regard to the portrayal of Ukraine and Ukrainians. The scope of the work includes an analysis of 12 textbooks covering the highly contested historical period from 1914 to 2014. The study aims to understand how Russian national narratives and depictions of the past have been reconstructed under the influence of modern political developments in Russo-Ukrainian relations. This thesis adopts a holistic approach to textbook analysis, directing focus to all parts of a textbook. Additionally, thematic content analysis is conducted with the help of the MAXQDA software program to code the selected texts. Both thematic and structural narrative analysis are utilized to explore what content is included in the Russian national narrative about Ukraine and how it is presented. This study argues that a new war-mobilization narrative appears in Russian history textbooks regarding the portrayal of Ukraine and Ukrainians. This narrative shift aligns with and supports the current Russian state's objectives during the ongoing war. The new 2023 textbooks, compared to older ones, present an increasingly negative depiction of Ukraine through various past historical events, particularly focusing on the episode of the Great Patriotic War (GPW). Limitations of this study and directions for future research are proposed.
When citizens adopt the “e”: conditions for high usage rates of public e-services among the EU-27 national states
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Vollmer, Robin; Mölder, Martin, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Public e-services are generally considered to be rather on the later side of adoption in comparison to other digital innovations. However, their usage rates vary significantly across different national contexts. This study seeks to explain these substantial differences in public e-service usage rates among the EU-27 member states. Drawing on the diffusion of innovation theory, four main conditions (service accessibility and quality, digital literacy of citizens, perceived usefulness by citizens, and trust in public authorities) for high public e-service usage rates are identified. Utilizing a newly constructed dataset with data provided by the EU for 2021, a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) is conducted. The results indicate that the identified set of conditions is highly sufficient for high public e-service usage rates to occur, demonstrating a strong and reliable model fit within the EU context.
Legitimizing the war: how Russian governors write about the war in Ukraine in their Telegram channels
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Petrova, Regina; Makarychev, Andrey, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
The study focuses on Russian governors and their role in legitimation the authoritarian regime. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, new spheres of responsibility were shifted to the regional level, which in the context of a rigidly centralised system of vertical power and insufficient regional autonomy in decision-making became a challenge for Russian governors. In addition to administrative duties, they are forced to create a positive image of the “special military operation”, convincing citizens of its necessity and building public consensus on the issue. Using Thematic analysis and having considered the communication strategies of governors, this paper seeks to answer the research question how governors justify the war in Ukraine in their Telegram channels and how uniform their communication strategies are? Based on the concept of legitimation of non-democratic regimes (Dukalskis & Gerschewski, 2017; Gerschewski, 2018; Kneuer, 2017; Maerz, 2020), conclusions are drawn about the rhetorical constructions used by the governors to legitimise military actions in Ukraine. The Thematic analysis showed the four most significant themes in the governors' posts. The first theme describes the causes of war and is structurally divided into three sub-themes. The war is justified through the liberation of Donbas, the fight against Nazism and the defence of brotherly nations. The second theme is devoted to the dehumanisation of the Ukrainian army, which resulted in three sub-themes where the image of the enemy is presented as Ukronazis, militants or terrorists, and neo-Nazis. The third theme that is actively used in the governors' posts is the comparison of the war with Ukraine with the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The fourth recurring theme is the idea of unity. Unification should occur through the idea of victory, which can only be achieved by uniting and helping mobilized. The main vectors of governors' communication strategies with the citizens are built in terms of informing them about the ongoing shelling and the victims; convincing the citizens of the need of the war and the policy pursued by the state; collecting information on the provision of assistance and providing feedback. It is also important to note that the governors' target is not only citizens, but also the federal government. By their posts they not only form loyalty to the state among the residents, but also show to the federal authorities their loyalty and devotion to the regime. The analysis showed that, the war is justified by constructing external enemies and dehumanising them; by linking to historical patterns; appealing to the affective level, trying to create a sense of unity and cohesion; calling for patriotic values. Governors are copying official federal military rhetoric, and form a loyal attitude towards the military operation and the state policy on this issue.
Corruption, populism, and polarization: unraveling the causes of democratic backsliding in 68 countries
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Usmanov, Asilbek; Mölder, Martin, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis examines the dynamics of democratic backsliding, focusing on the potential impacts of affective polarization, populism, and political corruption, with inflation as a control variable. Utilizing three primary datasets: the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) dataset, the V-Dem’s Party Dataset, and the World Bank’s Global Database of Inflation (GDI), the study conducts both univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The findings confirm that affective polarization significantly predicts changes in both electoral and deliberative democracy, supporting the hypothesis that increased polarization can lead to democratic backsliding. However, the relationships between populism and liberal democracy, and political corruption and egalitarian democracy, were not statistically significant at the conventional levels. Despite these limitations, this study contributes to the literature on democratic backsliding by highlighting the potential impact of political corruption, affective polarization, populism, and inflation on various forms of democracy. The findings underscore the complexity of democratic backsliding and the need for further research in this area. As democratic backsliding continues to be a pressing issue in many parts of the world, it is important to understand these dynamics. Future research could benefit from expanding the dataset to include more countries and a longer timeframe. This would increase the number of observations and potentially lead to more robust findings. Additionally, future studies could consider incorporating other variables that might influence democratic backsliding, such as institutional strength, and cultural factors.
Digital democracy in Europe: service design facilitating e-participation platforms
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Sheremet, Yuliia; Khutkyy, Dmytro, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This study investigates the impact of service design on citizen engagement in e-participation platforms within the context of digital democracy in Europe. With technological advancements significantly altering political processes and democratic engagement, this thesis explores how service design can facilitate citizen participation on digital platforms. The research encompasses a comparative analysis of eight e-participation platforms across Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, Iceland, France, Scotland, and Ireland. Using a mixed-methods approach, including manual qualitative platform analysis, reports review, and expert surveys, the study identifies key factors in service design influencing user engagement and satisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of user-friendly interfaces, accessibility features, and robust feedback mechanisms in enhancing platform effectiveness. The study provides recommendations for optimizing service design to improve citizen engagement and support democratic processes, ultimately contributing to the development of more effective e-participation platforms in Europe.
BRICS's role in influencing the state capacity through sanctions-proofing: a comparative analysis of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela (2010–2022)
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Haiduk, Hanna; Wierenga, Louis John, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
State capacity, a pivotal concept in political science, has garnered extensive scholarly attention for its crucial role in shaping human progress. This thesis explores the origins, significance, and measurement of state capacity, emphasizing the influence of foreign policy tools, particularly economic sanctions. Initially, the study delineates the state's definition, tracing its historical evolution and examining its core components as articulated by Tilly and Mann. It then focuses on state capacity, defined by McAdam et al., as the degree of control state agents exercise over persons, activities, and resources within their territorial jurisdiction. The research investigates how economic sanctions, as a coercive foreign policy tool, impact the state capacity of targeted authoritarian regimes. Given the prevalent use of sanctions by the United States, the study selects three case countries—Russia, Iran, and Venezuela—examining the US-imposed secondary and oil sector sanctions. This focus is justified by the significant role of oil in these countries' economies and the global dominance of the US dollar. State capacity is analyzed through three dimensions: coercive, administrative, and extractive, relevant to the context of authoritarian regimes. The study introduces BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) as an explanatory variable, assessing its potential to mitigate the adverse effects of sanctions and support the sanctioned states' economic resilience. Employing qualitative research methods, including process tracing analysis, the thesis aims to elucidate the causal mechanisms linking sanctions, BRICS' interventions, sanctions-proofing tactics and changes in state capacity. Data sources include OFAC for sanctions, OPEC and Statista for oil market fluctuations, and the World Bank for state capacity indicators. The anticipated outcome suggests that countries with strong economic ties to BRICS will better withstand sanctions, maintaining more stable state capacity compared to those without such support. This research contributes to understanding the interplay between international economic policies and state capacities in authoritarian states.
Governing private employment agencies in emerging markets: the case of labor migration governance in Kenya
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Nduati, Fiona Waithira; Muhhina, Kristina, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
There has been a steady increase in labor migration globally. This movement, facilitated by private employment agencies, is fueled by the need to find new opportunities for a better life and to improve overall well-being. However, for many unskilled and low-income migrant workers in emerging markets, their mobility is marked by many vulnerabilities that make them prone to exploitation, impeding their well-being. My thesis adopts a policy study approach to analyze the role of private employment agencies, focusing on the case of Kenya as an example of emerging markets and how their activities threaten the rights of low-income migrant workers. Further, this policy study proposes policy options for the case of Kenya on the governance of PEAs on safe labor migration governance of low-income migrant workers. Various arguments and studies have been conducted on low-income migrant workers in the context of emerging markets. However, these studies have focused on these workers' economic rights, primarily because of their economic value to home and destination countries. Others have taken a rights-based approach, which is primarily developmental. This policy study reframes the approach to the rights of low-income migrant workers by considering their human and labor rights while also leaning on the migration rights provisioned by the Global Compact for Migration. Using interviews and documents as my key methods, this policy study shows that the policy options for the governance of PEAs in Kenya should be applied in plurality and tandem. The findings in Kenya are positioned similarly to scholarly findings of PEAs in emerging markets. This study produces insights that indicate that approaches for the governance of PEAs in emerging markets lean towards hierarchical and network-based modes of governance. This policy study highlights the interconnectedness of structural factors of the labor market that pave the way for the exploitation of low-income migrant workers and how the proposed policy options for the governance of PEAs address those issues, leading to the ultimate protection of the rights of these workers.
Environmental co-creation: barriers to codesigning public value in Estonia
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Luud, Elli-Maria; Muhhina, Kristina, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This research looks into the co-production/creation landscape of Estonia and, more specifically, into public value creation. The focus of this study is on the barriers that societal actors encounter while engaging in the co-production process. The public value perceptions of societal actors engaged in co-production are considered. Drawing from literature about coproduction and public value, semi-structured interviews were conducted using four environmentally focused case studies. These case studies investigated between March and April of 2024 are the World Cleanup Day (2018 - present date), Tallinn’s Citizens’ Assembly for a Green Capital (2023), East-Viru County Green Plan (2020 - 2021) and Foodsharing Tartu (2019 - present date). The interviews were complemented by document analysis. The research identifies seven barriers to co-creation of public value in Estonia. These are the need for a common goal, recourses, observable outcomes, bureaucracy issues and need for change, the lack of community, language barriers and disregarding digital tools. In the final section of this thesis, a new operational framework for Estonian co-creation proposes mitigation strategies for these perceived barriers.
Algorithm of interest: a qualitative analysis of the public debates in Dutch, UK, and Australian cases of algorithmic decision-making scandals
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Agirbas, Emre; Homburg, Vincentius Martinus Franciscus, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis examines scandals arising from algorithmic decision-making systems and the ensuing discourse, focusing on the concept of fairness in public debates. Three cases from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, where algorithmic systems were implemented in public institutions, are analyzed. Through qualitative research utilizing thematic analysis, textual data from e-petitions and media documents is thoroughly examined. The study reveals procedural and distributive justice as central themes in discussions surrounding fairness. Despite extensive exploration of fairness in political philosophy, empirical investigations remain limited. This thesis seeks to address this gap by empirically investigating the role of fairness in algorithmic decision-making scandals, highlighting its significance in contemporary discourse. Through the application of justice as fairness theory, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and implications of algorithmic decision-making systems in public institutions. By examining real-world cases, it sheds light on the complexities of fairness in algorithmic governance, offering insights that can inform both policy and academic discourse.
The impact of social media use on voter turnout and voting mode preferences: analysis of Estonian Parliament elections in 2019 and 2023
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Jurkov, Kirill; Mölder, Martin, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis examines the influence of social media exposure on voter turnout and voting mode preferences during the 2019 and 2023 Estonian Parliament elections. Employing cross-sectional post-election survey data, the study evaluates how exposure to political content on social media platforms correlates with voter participation and the choice of voting methods, particularly Internet voting. The research employs multinomial and logistic regression analysis to ascertain the extent to which social media exposure fosters electoral participation and influences decisions to vote online rather than at traditional polling stations. Findings suggest that social media exposure can affect voter turnout numbers. Moreover, this study provides little evidence that this influence depends on the age of the voting-age population. The analysis of social media’s impact on voting mode preferences shows that social media exposure plays a marginal role in voters’ choice of voting mode regardless of their party affiliation. These results indicate that social media has a moderate effect on voting behaviour in Estonia. However, more research is needed to ensure the generalisability of the results.
A radical right lived ideology: an in-depth case study of the ideology of Sinine Äratus
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Jezierska, Isabel Mari; Piirimäe, Eva, juhendaja; Wierenga, Louis John, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis answered the research question “What is the nature and what are the core features of the ideology of Sinine Äratus?”. The decision to investigate the ideology of Sinine Äratus, a radical right youth organisation associated with the radical right Conservative People’s Party of Estonia, is multifaceted. Firstly, it serves as a compelling case for exploring the ideology of a radical right youth organisation, offering a rich source of information. Additionally, Sinine Äratus is situated in Eastern Europe, has global affiliations with other radical right organisations and activists, and has the potential to influence its mother party. To answer the research question, the author used dual-method approach. First, through theory-driven content analysis, the author demonstrated that the ideology of Sinine Äratus encompasses three key characteristics of radical right ideology: authoritarianism, anti-democracy, and nationalism, as defined by Elisabeth Carter. This confirmed that Sinine Äratus indeed is a radical right ideology. Second, the author employed data-driven qualitative content analysis along with morphological analysis to delve into the concepts, arguments connecting these concepts, and the underlying values that constitute the ideology of Sinine Äratus. The identified concepts were categorised into three themes: ethnonationalism, national independence, and environment. Using two different methods for studying the ideology of Sinine Äratus not only allowed the author to reconstruct the ideology of Sinine Äratus from two different perspectives but also allowed the author to demonstrate what researchers would fail to capture if they were to just use one method for studying an organisation’s ideology.
"Did we go too far?": Post-incumbency electoral performance after partnering with populist radical right in Europe 1999-2023
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Astudillo Laureda, Eduardo Alonso; Reiljan, Andres, juhendaja; Mölder, Martin, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis examines the electoral consequences for the political parties that decided to collaborate in executive coalitions with Populist Radical Right Parties (PRRPs) in Europe. It addresses the need to understand the implications of these political alignments, given the growing frequency of such coalitions. Using a large-N quantitative analysis and linear regression model, this research analyzes electoral data from eleven European countries to explore the strategic implications of coalition formation with PRRPs. Even though the study reveals that there is no consistent impact and direction on overall electoral costs for forming such coalitions, the effect changes depending on a party's position on the left-right spectrum. The thesis finds that right-leaning parties face uncertain immediate electoral fates post-coalition, while left-leaning parties will perceive a negative electoral impact when entering a coalition with PRRPs. The findings have important implications for the study of multi-party competition as they challenge expectations regarding accommodative strategies and the efficiency of the cordon sanitaire. The research highlights the complex dynamics of ideological alignment, voter behavior, and the challenges of balancing core values against the need for strategic coalition-building.
Effect of societal culture on women empowerment in the Panchayati Raj system in India
(Tartu Ülikool, 2024) Malik, Alpana; Kilp, Alar, juhendaja; Bhatti, Rampal, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This case study focuses on assessing the impact of societal cultures on women's empowerment within the Panchayati system in India, particularly in the Khanpur Kalan and Ganwari villages of Sonipat district, Haryana. Employing a qualitative approach with openended interviews, the research explores the cultural factors influencing gender treatment in both the Panchayat and village contexts. Thematic content analysis, guided by Hofstede’s Dimensions Theory of Culture and Kabeer’s Instrumental Model, identifies four main themes: Cultural factors in the Panchayat system, Cultural factors in the village, Village empowerment determinants, and Council empowerment determinants. The study reveals a dominance of masculine cultures, emphasizing gender roles. Despite women having access to resources, findings indicate insufficient empowerment, with low agency and achievement status. Informal cultures within Panchayats and villages significantly impact women's participation and efficiency in the studied region.
Voting along the ethnic line? Ethnic minority voters in Estonia and Lithuania
(Tartu Ülikool, 2023) Cheung, Yan Ming; Reiljan, Andres, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
This thesis aims to examine the prevalence and predictors of minority ethnic voting in Estonia and Lithuania. The empirical results confirm that ethnic minorities in these two countries indeed vote as a homogenous group. Specifically, they are more likely to vote for an ethnic minority party, compared to their ethnic majority counterparts. In addition, it is found that minority ethnic voting is more prevalent in Estonia during the review period. Seeking to identify variables that can predict such ethnic voting behaviour, this thesis also tests two theoretical models, namely the social identity model and the rational model, with individuallevel survey data from Estonia and Lithuania. Drawing upon these two established theoretical models, six hypotheses are formed and tested. The findings reveal that language serves as a powerful predictor of ethnic voting behaviour in both Estonia and Lithuania. Moreover, aside from language, an individual’s placement on the left-right political spectrum appears to be another strong predictor of ethnic voting, with left-wing ethnic minority voters being more likely to cast their vote along ethnic lines. These findings contribute to a better understanding of minority voting behaviour in Estonia and Lithuania.
The impact of education policy on human capital development; a case of Nigeria
(Tartu Ülikool, 2023) Adeniran, Titilade Philip; Talving, Liisa, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
One dividing line that has edged the developed countries above the developing countries is the calibre of human capital stock developed for national productivity. This study examines the impact of education policy on human capital development in Nigeria. Government expenditure on education (GEE) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETF) were used to measure education policy in Nigeria, while Human Development Index (HDI) was used to measure Human Capital Development. Secondary time series data on the employed variables sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, World Bank Data bank, and Federal Inland Revenue Service annual reports for 2011 to 2021 were employed in the study. With the aid of an Econometric View, descriptive statistics, stationarity test, and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) techniques were used as data analysis methods. The findings reveal that GEE and TETF positively impact HDI, although the influence is not statistically significant. This implies that an increase in GEE and TETF promotes the stock of human capital in Nigeria, although at a nominal rate. The study concludes that education policy enhances human capital development positively. Therefore, for a significant impact of education policy on human capital development, the study recommends, among others, that education policy actors at various strata should increase the quantum of funds allocated to tertiary education. The government should also be committed to improving the quality of education by providing adequate financial resources to educational institutions and encouraging research and development.
The influence of women’s political representation on political decision-making: qualitative case study of Azerbaijan
(Tartu Ülikool, 2023) Majidova, Nilufar; Kilp, Alar, juhendaja; Tartu Ülikool. Sotsiaalteaduste valdkond; Tartu Ülikool. Johan Skytte poliitikauuringute instituut
Gender inequality issues persist in both the descriptive and substantive representation of women in the political arena. Even though the developed countries have made significant improvements in addressing gender inequality issues in politics, the issue is still at a critical level in developing countries. Azerbaijan is a post-Soviet country where most of the population is Muslim. High levels of the gender wage gap, underage and forced marriage issues, domestic violence, and social stereotypes against women in Azerbaijani society create a need for improvements in the substantive representation of women in politics. Additionally, the descriptive representation of Azerbaijani women is still low. In this research, the author aims to identify the link between the descriptive and substantive representation of women in politics in the case of Azerbaijan. By doing so, the author will clarify if there is a need to increase the number of female MPs in the Azerbaijani parliament, to increase women’s substantive representation in politics. Using the qualitative data from the Codes of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the transcripts of parliamentary meetings, interviews, and surveys, the author identifies how female MPs impacted the policy agenda and output on women’s issues and to what extent male MPs represented the issues of women. The findings suggest that female MPs bring more issues of women to the political agenda and can affect policy output on women’s issues more compared to male MPs. Without female MPs, male MPs do not represent women’s issues enough. While male MPs discuss more on unemployment of women, women’s reproductive health, human trafficking, and violence against women, they do not represent health issues of women other than reproductive health, forced marriage, underage marriage, women’s participation in political decision-making, unequally divided household responsibilities, and social stereotypes against women.

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