ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the rewards of Estonian high public officials (HPOs) in 1991–2008. Having regained independence in 1991 (Lieven’s ‘Year Zero’), Estonians had to build up their state and its institutions virtually from scratch.
Whereas the East European satellites possessed at least the formal attributes of independent statehood, however theoretical they might be, the Baltic states lacked their own currencies, armed forces, border guards, diplomatic services, central or even local banks, railways, airlines, and even tourist offices.
(Lieven 1993: 100).