Korruption i Estland och Lettland, en jämförande studie
LatviaEstoniaCorruptionThe Baltic StatesPost-communismSocial sciencesSamhällsvetenskaperPolitical and administrative sciencesStatsvetenskapFörvaltningskunskapSocial SciencesLaw and Political Science
Since the breakdown of the Soviet Union, more than fifteen revolutionary yearshave passed. Estonia and Latvia have undergone a change from communist statesto members of the European Union. As in so many other post-communist statescorruption has been a problem. However, Estonia has since the independence hada lower degree of corruption than the neighbour country Latvia. The main purposeof this thesis is to explain why so. The thesis also aims to try out Professor JonQuah´s theoretical analysing tool in a different context than where it wasdeveloped. His analysing tool consists principally of five explanatory elements.Using these, the difference in degree of corruption can be explained by the earlyreforms of the Estonian administration which decreased the opportunity forcorruption. The difference could also be explained by the fact that corruption to ahigher extent is seen as a "high risk, low reward activity" in Estonia. In addition,the political will to fight corruption in Latvia has been deficient and the publicsector salaries have been low. Finally, in this context, a complementaryexplanation to professor Quah´s analysing tool is suggested, "the externalinfluence" which for instance includes the effects of the European Unionmembership.