'Is Interethnic Integration Possible in Estonia?': Ethno-Political Discourse of Two Ethnic Groups

Abstract

This article compares ethno-political discourse of pupils belonging to the majority and minority groups in Estonia. The article also seeks to understand the role of different socializers in ethno-political socialization. Ninth formers from an Estonian and a Russian school in Estonia wrote an essay on interethnic integration after they had read the corresponding texts in their civics textbook. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pupils representing different viewpoints. Within the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis, 57 essays and 13 interviews were studied at several levels of discursive structure (topics, propositions, argument schemes, strategic moves, storytelling, style and intertextuality). The analysis reveals a number of differences between the discourses by Estonian and Russian pupils. Intertextual analysis and the data obtained from the interviews suggest that pupils’ personal experiences and reflections, the media, some teachers and family members play the most important roles in the process of ethno-political socialization.