Toronto Theory Workshop | Nationalizing Dispositions: Field Transformations in Post-Soviet Estonia

Abstract: How does culture change after imperialism? Although significant research demonstrates how hierarchies and patterns of empire extend into colonies and then persist in post-imperial contexts, we know comparatively little about how imperial patterns differentiate over time within post-imperial states. In this paper, I focus on Estonia, which in 1991 became independent from the Soviet Union, after fifty years within the Union. Drawing on the World Value Surveys conducted in Estonia fifteen years apart (in 1996 and 2011), I explore how the Estonian social space has been differentiating itself from other post-soviet countries over these first two decades of independence. Through correspondence analyses (Multiple Factorial Analysis), I demonstrate a transformation over time from imperial to post-imperial spaces. In so doing, I measure the growing distance and differentiation of earlier Soviet preferences that had been extended into Estonia. With this, I demonstrate that while being influenced and affected by forces within a transnational field, nationalization processes in Estonia led to the emergence and stabilization of a relatively autonomous Estonian state field.

TTW fosters theoretical dialogue, taking theory in a wide sense. We aim to maximize conversation. Papers, usually works in progress, are circulated prior to meetings, and all attendees are expected to come to the workshop having read the paper. Presenters typically provide only a 5-minute introduction and contextualization of the paper. Then two discussants (a graduate student and a faculty member) provide critical commentary, followed by open Q&A with all participants. Everyone is welcome, whether you see yourself as someone who works in theory or not, and whether you are new to the department or have been around for a long time.