Three constitutional narratives in three Baltic countries

• In Event: Contemporary Issues in Baltic Statecraft

Abstract

Although from outside – three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) might be seen as having almost identical societies, which succeeded to preserve their cultural identity in Baltic region during centuries of oppressions and occupations and to regain their independence after collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990s, but indeed they have rather significant differences also. First of all, Lithuania is rather monogenic society, while Latvia and Estonia have more diverse social structures. Two, Lithuania is predominantly Catholic, while Estonia is Lutheran and Latvia’s relative Lutheran majority lives together with big Catholic and Orthodox communities. Three, Lithuania has a long history of statehood, going back to at least XIII century, while Latvia and Estonia in 1990s had independence experience only from interwar republics. Finally, Estonia and Lithuania in 1992 decided to adopt their new Constitutions, while Latvia – readopted its interwar Constitution of 1922. A written Constitution is mostly considered as being a most important social contract of particular society. Therefore, my paper will focus on analysis of three different narratives found in preambles (and not only) of Constitutions of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and will show their differences and similarities.

Short Bio

Vaidotas A. Vaičaitis is Associated Professor at Vilnius University (Lithuania), School of Law. His field of research is Lithuanian and comparative law. He also has a Master degree of religious studies and of history.

Author

• Vaidotas Vaičaitis, Vilnius University