Cogwheels in the machinery of the state: corporatism and the organic state theory in interwar Estonia

• In Event: Interwar Estonian Authoritarianism

Abstract

From the late 1920s, corporatist theories gained prominence as alternatives to liberal democratic systems facing crises in Europe. This paper examines corporatism during the authoritarian regime of Konstantin Päts (1934–1940) in interwar Estonia. Päts championed corporatist elements, such as professional chambers, since the early days of the Estonian Republic and the late imperial period. The authoritarian system provided him the opportunity to systematically implement corporatist ideals.
The study explores Päts' corporatist views and political agendas and delves into the ideas of Juhan Vilms, a medical doctor and fervent corporatism advocate. Tracing theoretical and practical models influencing Päts and Vilms, the paper argues that both perceived corporatism, especially corporative chambers, as a potential means to counterbalance or replace political parties and reorder society’s political representation while safeguarding the democratic system. However there were also certain stark differences in their thinking and rhetoric regarding corporatism.
Contrary to historiographical consensus that Päts lost faith in corporatism during the authoritarian period, the paper argues that corporatism was institutionalized to some extent during legislative and institutional reforms in the late 1930s. By analyzing Päts' and Vilms' perspectives, this study highlights the evolution of their ideas and offers insights into the complexities of implementing corporatism in a transformative political landscape.

Short Bio

Liisi Veski is a Research Fellow in the History of Political Thought at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, University of Tartu. In 2022, she obtained her PhD from Central and East European Studies, University of Glasgow. She also serves as an Editorial Coordinator at the Journal of Baltic Studies.
Her research interests include:
-intellectual and political history of authoritarian systems in interwar CEE, especially Estonia and Poland;
-history and theories of nationalism;
-co-operative theories, civil society, and anti-statism in Estonia in 1900–1940;
-concepts of illiberal democracy;
-political dimensions of the Finno-Ugric movement;
-transnational transfer of ideas and concepts.

Author

• Liisi Veski, University of Tartu