From Deliberation to Disruption: The Changing Nature of Parliamentary Rhetoric in Estonia

Abstract

This thesis investigates the evolution of parliamentary discourse and behavior among Estonian MPs during the second hearings of the National Budget Bill (NBB) in 2013 and 2023. It focuses on substantive engagement, inflammatory rhetoric, and disruptive behavior to determine the shifts in parliamentary conduct over this decade. The study employs quantitative analysis, using boolean datasets derived from public transcripts to compare instances of these behaviors. Additionally, qualitative analysis contextualizes these findings within the political affiliations and dynamics of MPs, supported by media perspectives from the national news broadcasting service, ERR. The results indicate a significant increase in inflammatory rhetoric and disruptive actions, accompanied by a slight decrease in substantive engagement from 2013 to 2023. The thesis concludes with policy recommendations aimed at mitigating negative trends in parliamentary discourse, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and a new code of conduct to foster a respectful and productive parliamentary environment.