Paradoxes of minority representation: a comparison of Russophone political attitudes in Estonia and Latvia

Abstract

ABSTRACT While Estonia’s Russophones have had comparatively little presence in national-level institutions yet have been subject to accommodative policies, Latvia’s Russophones have enjoyed consistent descriptive representation in parliament but have gained relatively less on policy outcomes. Given that existing theory suggests that descriptive and substantive representation should be associated with both heightened political efficacy and regime approval, this presents a useful comparative puzzle. Our analysis of Eurobarometer public opinion data suggests that, while Russian-speakers evince less political efficacy and democratic satisfaction than others in both countries, Latvia’s Russophones are less satisfied with their political regime than are their Estonian coethnics.