Willingness to Fight for One’s Own Country: New Variables to Look at the Estonian Leadership among the Baltic States

Abstract

The article delves into the willingness of citizens in the Baltic States, particularly Estonia, to fight for their countries in the face of rising threats, notably the Russian threat following the Crimean annexation. With historically weaker NATO defenses and relatively small armed forces, Baltic States like Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia rely on allied support and their residents’ determination to defend their homeland. The study explores variables that influence this willingness, focusing on Estonia’s leadership in this aspect. The article consists of three main sections: a literature review, a comparative case analysis, and conclusions. The literature review examines past data from global, regional, and national perspectives, touching upon the theories of renowned researchers like Ronald F. Inglehart. The comparative case analysis delves into new variables—civic engagement, government functionality, and corruption levels—exploring their correlation with citizens’ readiness to fight for their country. The analysis uncovers distinct patterns in Estonia, which consistently outpaces Latvia and Lithuania in civic engagement, efficient governance, and lower corruption levels. Ultimately, the research emphasizes that civic engagement positively associates with willingness to defend one’s country, exemplified by Estonia’s higher voter turnout and volunteering rates. Effective government functioning also contributes to citizens’ willingness to fight, with Estonia’s robust governance over the past decades potentially boosting resilience. Furthermore, low corruption levels appear to enhance citizens’ confidence in their state, potentially encouraging them to defend it. The study concludes that understanding these multifaceted factors can guide policymakers and community leaders in bolstering citizens’ determination to protect their countries, particularly in Latvia and Lithuania.