| Abstract [eng] |
Problem Statement. Anyone trying to analyze the dimensions of the impact of non-governmental organizations on democracy in the Baltic States comparatively faces a double dilemma: on the one hand, dimensions should be conceptualized and integrated into a range of theories and, on the other hand, the characteristics of the system in these countries both referring to historical reality and theoretical exceptions have to be taken into sufficient considerations. The latter constructs the following problem statement – the impact of non-governmental organizations on democracy can be regarded from approach of social sciences as a comprehensive interconnection, on which could be based theoretical outputs and which can be analyzed empirically applying qualitative and quantitative measures and meta-analysis. The problem statement has been used to guide the thesis by principle research questions: 1. What are the chances of support of non-governmental organizations to democracy?; 2. Which are the factors contributing most to the development of democracy in the Baltic States referring to the role of non-governmental organizations, and what are the differences among the countries? 3. What is the quality of the impact of relations between non-governmental organizations and democracy in the Baltic States, and what are the differences among the countries? The answers to these questions are definitely neither simple nor straight forward. They depend on the method of analysis and also on the empirical perspective applied in the exploration of these issues. Although it is still not certain in which of the three Baltic States the chances of support of non-governmental organizations to democracy exists, it is quite probable that in all three countries non-governmental organizations in one or another way impact democracy, although it is difficult to identify the exact set of factors which influence democracy. As for the answers to the third question, even though the number of research cases in the thesis is limited, it is clear that the variety of relations between democracy and non-governmental organizations and qualitative differences among the countries are quite significant. Finally, it is interesting to note that, although the thesis tries to answer these questions separately, especially the last two, in the empirical part of the thesis an attempt is presented to do this simultaneously, however, the possible answers are not only theoretical but also practical. This is why, apart from using various theories in relation to dependent variables: DEMO group and NGO group, the influence on democracy and the means of impact are determined and measured by the application of primary and secondary factors of influence. Subject of Research – impact discourses of the relationship between democracy and third sector in the context of society and state development factors. Hypotheses of Research – non-governmental organizations being a part of civil society impact the democratic processes, which could be explored by employing qualitative and quantitative measures. Aim of Research – evaluate analytically and empirically the impact of non-governmental organizations to democracy in the Baltic States by applying qualitative and quantitative measures. Goals of Research: 1. Operationalize theoretical framework of democracy, civil society and non-governmental organizations, and define their elements in the context of multicultural evolution and multilevel relations. 2. Substantiate methodology of empirical research by applying combined theoretical approach, while reasoning the usage of meta-analysis for insight into relation between variables. 3. Construct qualitative and quantitative measures of evaluation of civil society activities and democracy in the Baltic States, and asses the state, which additionally helps to define the common independent variables to democracy and third sector. 4. Proceed with empirical research by applying correspondent methods, which help to conceptualize the relation between democracy and non-governmental organizations, supporting it by qualitative context and evaluating the significance of the non-governmental organizations’ impact on the progress of democracy. 5. Summarize the theoretical and practical outcomes and explain the significance of the results to the democratic processes in the Baltic States. Methods of Research: 1. Theoretical: exploration and analyses of political, economic, sociological, cultural, philosophical and other sources according to the chosen topic, comparison and generalization, which bring on the identification of a theoretical and conceptual relation of democracy and the third sector. 2. Empirical: usage of a mixture of qualitative and quantitative analysis-theory of collective actions, quality of democracy, sustainability of non-governmental organizations define the state of subjects and highlighted the realities for the construction of relations between dependent and independent variables, comparative analysis across time and space determine a reasonable approach of relation and conception between democracy and non-governmental organizations, and signify the meanings of impact constructions. and the application of the traffic light model determines the level of impact of non-governmental organizations to the development of democracy. 3. Statistical: application of meta-analysis amalgamates, summarizes and reviews quantitative research. Here quantitative descriptive analysis of data and case studies are performed by the SPSS 14.0 computer program practicing correlation and regression analysis, integrating Sturges formula and the traffic light model, they all help to condense information and determine the ways of impact of non-governmental organizations to the development of democracy including the level of effect. Novelty and Originality of Research. The collapse of the Soviet Union provoked the emergence of intensive research on democracy and civil society in Central and Eastern Europe. In explorations of transition periods and democratization processes much attention is given to the analysis of party systems and electoral processes (S. Drzyek, T. Holmes 2002; B. Kernen 2000; R. Kleinberg and J. A. Clark 2000; J. Garrard 2000, G. Pridgham 1997 and others). Other researchers investigate the role of civil society (A. Uhlin 2006, P. Burnel 2004, R. Yuongs 2004 and others). It is common that civil society is seen as an independent form, therefore, its relationship to the state or the development of democracy is not analyzed comprehensively. Furthermore, civil society is usually examined as a geographically limited unit, i. e. country specific. (V. Tismaneanu 2000; S. Dryzek and T. Holmes 2002). Usually, the scholars focus on Poland, Hungary or the Check Republic, sometimes even Eastern countries like Albania or Serbia appear, which geographically do not belong to “European family”. There are several case studies on Russia (A. B. Evans 2006; A. Uhlin 2006 and others), a variety of research on comparative studies of civil society in Poland, Hungary, Romania and the Check Republic (P. Burnell 2004; T. Vanhanen 1993, 2003; P. G. Coy 2001; B. Klienberg 2000; W. Haerpfer 2002), where as the Baltic States have received less scientific interest (A. Uhlin 2006; N. Gotz 2003 and M. Lagerpetz, E. Rikmann and R. Ruutsoo 2002 on Estonia). Could a primary conclusion be drawn that civil society in the Baltic States is weak and unmotivated, all three countries are similar due to common history, and there is not much space for investigation? Contrary to popular belief, the thesis proclaims that the Baltic States is a challenging area for scholarly exploration, and each country is individual. The research on civil society activities in post-communist countries in many projects has remained descriptive, only a few comparatives (T. Vanhanen 2003) or game theory applications (J. Colomer 2000) appear. Much research seems to have been done on transition periods (Journal Democratization from 2002 and Demokratizatsiya from 2000), however, almost none on these issues after the Baltic States joining the EU. It should be highlighted that the topic of this thesis itself and its theoretical and practical framework are strongly influenced by the research trends of prof. Dr. Beata Kohler Koch and her team of researchers Dr. Susan Stewart, Dr. Thorsten Hüller, Peter Kotzian and etc. The analyses made by the above scholars define the relation between civil society and democracy from the multilevel approach, where non-governmental organizations despite the fact that they are the lowest component in this relation, are the mean to fostering democracy. The literature on democracy or civil society defines that major actors in civil society are non-governmental organizations. It is true, that Baltic non-governmental organizations have not received much scholarly attention: few scientific articles, reports and few cases of deeper analyses (A. Uhlin 2006; V. Tismaneanu 1990), contrary to other countries of Central and Eastern Europe (P. Coy 2001; A. Hudock 1999; G. Glenn 2001; A. Gasparini 1995; S. Roßteutscher 2005; A. Zimmer 2004). Non-governmental organizations are presented as active actors for transformation of the communist regime, in few cases only as participants of philanthropy; however, almost none of them investigate the impact of non-governmental organizations to democracy. This thesis is based upon, and applies some of the theoretical assumptions on democracy and civil society. Although being a regional study of transformation on relations between democracy and non-governmental organizations it applies study methods and theoretical concepts developed during previous transitions to democracy or those appearing at the beginning of our century. Finally, the individual view on the issues analyzed is expressed by using meta-analysis, and parallel, it is experimented with new means by inventing pr. |
