The thesis is focused on the analysis of the competitiveness of selected countries of eastern enlargement of the EU. The aim of this work is to analyze the competitiveness of selected countries - Slovakia, Slovenia and Estonia, comparing them to each other and in relation to other EU countries. The first chapter defines competitiveness and methods of its assessment. The second chapter discusses the external and internal economic balance of the selected countries. Analysis of long-run competitive advantages is the aim of third chapter and final part of the thesis, confronts results of international competitiveness yearbooks with reality.

Competitiveness in recent years is a very discussed topic and it gets into the forefront of states and international organizations due to the current globalization trends. The aim of this thesis is to determine the effects of the economic crisis and the transition to the euro on the competitiveness of Estonia on the basis of a analysis of cost competitiveness indicators and qualitative indicators of competitiveness in comparison with the Czech Republic.

Several studies have been published postulating the emergence of the post-modern research system, the research system in transition and the new production of knowledge (Cozzens et al. 1990, Rip and van der Meulen 1996, Gibbons et al. 1994). However, these studies have been largely concerned with the gradual transformation of well-established research systems of Western industrialised countries. The radical transformations of the research systems of Central and Eastern European countries (CEE), following the collapse of the communist regime at the beginning of the 1990s, have attracted a smaller number of scholars (Balazs et al. 1995; Schimank 1995; Radosevic 1999; Dyker and Radosevic 1999, 2000). Prior to this, the developments in scientific organisation have been considered to be either an issue of evolution (in advanced or industrialised countries) or, as in the case of developing countries - a development issue. However, the research/innovation systems of CEE in the 1990s were neither underdeveloped, nor following the pattern of evolution of other industrialised countries, but were forced to change as a consequence of changes in the political and economic order. Furthermore, eighteen years after the fall of the communist regime, the research systems of CEE have developed at different rates, along different trajectories, despite similar preconditions for change. Taking into account the aforementioned considerations, the study investigates two research systems in transition, those of Latvia and Estonia, which along with the Czech Republic have initiated the most radical reorganisation of their research systems. The choice of countries is based on the realisation that despite, at first glance, similar pre-conditions for change, as well as similar demographic factors, political and economic systems, and institutional structures of scientific organisation (which makes these countries easily comparable); these systems appear to have evolved along different trajectories. Clear differences are seen in terms of total state funding allocated for research, as well as contributions from the private sector, R&D intensity, research output in terms of publication, citation rates and patents, collaborative projects and publications (Kristapsons, Martinson and Dagyte 2003). Based on these indicators, Estonia precedes Latvia on all counts; possible explanations for this are the diversified funding mechanisms available, and the multitude of assessments of research and development on the basis of which policies were formed (Kristapsons, Martinson and Dagyte 2003).In view of the overall goal of explaining different rates/paths of development of similarly positioned national research systems, the purpose of the study is twofold. Firstly, it attempts to paint a comprehensive picture of the Latvian and Estonian research systems and, secondly, it compares and contrasts them in terms of the reforms initiated and the outputs, outcomes and impacts of these reforms. Methodologically, the study is largely qualitative in nature and it has been deemed appropriate to present the two countries as separate case studies, yet retaining a common analytical frame to gather primary and secondary data. Secondary data has been collected by drawing on the multitude of archival and documentary evidence and statistical databases available; primary data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews.

This thesis aims to highlight the smock-dress within the context of Soviet-Estonia during the post-war epoch, ca. 1950s until 1990s. Through Mauss’s socio-anthropological tripoint view, the concepts and identities of the smock-dress are studied from the angles of biology, sociology and psychology. The intention is to show its widespread use amongst Soviet- Estonian women and their remembrance of it, in accordance with the Soviet ideological structures. Using semi-structured interviews, I have assembled oral history from women who attain this historical retrospective, aiming to depict the smock-dress as both a concept and an object, thus functioning as an emblem of Soviet society rather than a historical artefact. Relying on the terms nostalgia, socio-cultural belonging and phenomenology, I seek to capture the smock-dress as both a vestiary phenomenon and representation of social structures. Thus, creating a dual identity, individual and collective, through its usage, showing that sartorial fashion encompasses more than just emotions and promoted stylistics.

The thesis "The Developement of the Electoral System in Estonia and it's Influence on the Party System between the Years 1990 and 2007" deals, after the first chapter about the theoretical attitudes to the influence of the electoral systems on the party systems, with the, firstly historical background of this interwar, independent, and democratic baltic state. The following chapters drala with the changes on the electoral rules in Estonia since 1990 and first of all about the influence of these changes on the stability of a party system and government.

Rezension zu drei Werken zur Musik und Musikgeschichte Estlands

Energy security is currently a favourite topic. It is being talked about in the context of several conflicts in Third World countries that, due to the supply of energy raw materials such as oil and gas, affect the rest of the world. For some states, however, the issue of ensuring energy security is a more vital. Some states, such as the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, are dependent on supplies of fossil fuels from neighbouring countries. Moreover, up until recently their energy markets have not been liberalized, nor connected to the rest of the Europe. It is a well-known fact that the Russian Federation is the main supplier of these raw materials to them. Therefore, the Baltic states have been trying to reduce the influence of the Russian Federation in the Baltic region since they regained independence 26 years ago. This diploma thesis deals with the analysis of the energy security of all three Baltic countries. The thesis carefully analyses all aspects of their energy sector. It examines the historical development of the region, thanks to which we can understand the influence of the Russian Federation on the Baltics energy sector, as well as the level of international cooperation of the Baltic states with the EU in ensuring energy security. The analysis also focus on the...

In 1619, Johannes Kepler published his magnum opus Harmonices mundi in which the astronomer derived distinct pitches and scales for each known planet in the solar system from calculations of various aspects of their orbital motions. This was the first theoretical realization of the ancient tradition of musica universalis (also called musica mundana), or music of the celestial bodies. It was not until the Estonian composer Urmas Sisask (b. 1960) began his compositional career by deriving his own “planetary scale,” however, that the theoretical musica universalis came into audible existence. Sisask’s work represents a distinctive musical voice among today’s choral composers, and although he is steadily gaining attention for his unique compositional style, only limited information exists about the specifics of his background, his interest in astronomy and shamanism, and the subsequent influence these interests have had on his choral music. At once traditional and modern, he bridges the gap between ancient Estonian folk song and the present. Through an application of exotic techniques including extreme repetition, ritualistically driving rhythms and sudden changes in timbre and texture; coupled with his own peculiarly crafted “planetary scale,” Urmas Sisask has created a completely unique body of work which is examined in this study by looking at representative works from his choral oeuvre including Gloria Patri…24 hymns for mixed choir, Magnificat, Ave Sol, and Benedictio.

This thesis is applying the neglected concept of assurance on assuring efforts of NATO towards Estonia. This small Baltic republic lives in a fear of conflict with its Russian neighbour which would be impossible to win without help from abroad. The author asks, whether the effort to assure Estonians, that NATO would come to help in case of conflict is successful and what can be improved. To reveal, whether Estonia is assured, the author conducted research interviews in Tallinn with Estonians from the state administration, military, academics, experts from think-tanks and journalist. To get a full picture, the author also used public opinion polls. The thesis uses the concept of assurance as it was defined by Jeffrey W. Knopf. The concept is understudied and almost not used for empirical research. Importance of assuring allies is rising in contemporary's world and this thesis is trying to fill the research gap and show a possible direction for further research on the assurance of allies. Last but not least, the author is contributing to the debate about the defence of the Baltics.

In der estnischen Musikliteratur gibt es kaum Texte, die sich direkt mit Ästhetik befassen. Was man regelmäßig findet, sind Überblicke über die Musik und das Musikleben, Rezensionen und programmatische Artikel über die Aufgaben, vor denen die Musiker stehen. Hierin äußert sich eine praktische Ästhetik der jeweiligen Verfasser und eine gewisse Überzeugung, wie estnische Musik sein sollte und welche Aufgaben sie habe. Auf der Basis dieser Ansichten werden Werturteile über neue Werke und musikalische Ereignisse gefällt. Dabei sind diese Ansichten selbst möglicherweise ziemlich schwammig formuliert, sofern man sich ihrer überhaupt bewusst ist. Was für Ansichten waren das? Woher stammten sie? Eine Antwort hierauf können wir in der Musikliteratur, in der Musik selbst und auch im zeitgenössischen Musikleben suchen und dann annähernd beschreiben, welche ästhetischen Ansichten in Estland geherrscht haben.