ABSTRACT
The first years after the collapse of communism witnessed diminishing participation in politics everywhere in Central and Eastern Europe. This chapter explores patterns of political and civic participation in Estonia in a dynamic perspective, covering the period between 2002 and 2014. It outlines the trajectory of Estonia in the cross-national context. Trust is no longer a missing resource in Estonia: albeit slowly, trust in state institutions as well as in other people has increased. Even more significantly, a clear inter-ethnic divide in civic participation has emerged with Estonian Russians being, in general, more prudent and rather ‘silent protesters’ than actively transforming and agentive. Time will show whether the forms of digitally mediated engagement facilitate tearing away from the remaining shadows of communism and building a more harmonious and viable civic society.
