Corporate chambers (Estonia)
Encyclopedia
Corporate chambers were a series of corporate
institutions in Estonia
during the interwar period
. The first of these – the Chamber of Commerce and Industry – was created in 1924, and the second, the Chamber of Agriculture, followed in 1931. However, most of the chambers were established after the 1934 coup d'état of Konstantin Päts
, and the Era of Silence
which followed the coup became their heyday.
The main proponent of the formation of the chambers was indeed Päts – according to his political views, a nation should be organized not by political views into parties, but by vocation into respective chambers. Päts had promoted the idea of corporate chambers already in 1918, shortly after the Republic of Estonia had been established, but the idea did not gain support at the time. Both of the earlier chambers were however formed during time when Päts was head of government (riigivanem). After the 1934 coup Päts established a moderate authoritarian regime, in which corporate chambers were deemed to play an important role. A corporative system, based on the example of Fascist Italy, was to replace the inherently unstable multi-party system. Fifteen more chambers were established between 1934 and 1936, bringing the total number to 17. The chambers also took part in legislative work – according to the 1937 constitution, 16 out of 40 seats in the upper chamber of the parliament
(Riiginõukogu) were allocated to them.
All the corporate chambers were disbanded between 13 and 31 July 1940, about a month after Soviet Union occupied Estonia.
Corporatism
Corporatism, also known as corporativism, is a system of economic, political, or social organization that involves association of the people of society into corporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labor, military, patronage, or scientific affiliations, on the basis of common...
institutions in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
during the interwar period
Interwar period
Interwar period can refer to any period between two wars. The Interbellum is understood to be the period between the end of the Great War or First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe....
. The first of these – the Chamber of Commerce and Industry – was created in 1924, and the second, the Chamber of Agriculture, followed in 1931. However, most of the chambers were established after the 1934 coup d'état of Konstantin Päts
Konstantin Päts
Konstantin Päts VR I/1 and III/1 was the most influential politician of interwar Estonia. He was one of the first Estonians to become active in politics and started an almost 40-year political rivalry with Jaan Tõnisson, first through journalism with his newspaper Teataja, later through politics...
, and the Era of Silence
Era of Silence
"Era of Silence" is a term used to describe the years 1934-1938 or 1940. in Estonian history. It was introduced by Kaarel Eenpalu, Prime Minister of Estonia in 1938-39 and a strong supporter of Konstantin Päts, Estonia's dictator during that period...
which followed the coup became their heyday.
The main proponent of the formation of the chambers was indeed Päts – according to his political views, a nation should be organized not by political views into parties, but by vocation into respective chambers. Päts had promoted the idea of corporate chambers already in 1918, shortly after the Republic of Estonia had been established, but the idea did not gain support at the time. Both of the earlier chambers were however formed during time when Päts was head of government (riigivanem). After the 1934 coup Päts established a moderate authoritarian regime, in which corporate chambers were deemed to play an important role. A corporative system, based on the example of Fascist Italy, was to replace the inherently unstable multi-party system. Fifteen more chambers were established between 1934 and 1936, bringing the total number to 17. The chambers also took part in legislative work – according to the 1937 constitution, 16 out of 40 seats in the upper chamber of the parliament
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
(Riiginõukogu) were allocated to them.
All the corporate chambers were disbanded between 13 and 31 July 1940, about a month after Soviet Union occupied Estonia.
List of chambers
- Chamber of Agricultural Workmen and Small Landowners was an Estonian vocational self-government during the years 1936–1940. The Chamber had 36 elective and 4 appointed (by the Minister of Agriculture) members. Chairman was Helmut MaandiHelmut MaandiHelmut Maandi was an Estonian statesman. He was chairman of the Chamber of Agricultural Workmen and Small Landowners and, since 1944 in Sweden exile, Secretary of State....
, since 21 February 1940 Juhan Post. - Chamber of Agriculture
- Chamber of Agronomes was a vocational self-government of Estonian agronomistAgronomistAn agronomist is a scientist who specializes in agronomy, which is the science of utilizing plants for food, fuel, feed, and fiber. An agronomist is an expert in agricultural and allied sciences, with the exception veterinary sciences.Agronomists deal with interactions between plants, soils, and...
s during the years 1935–1940. Chairman was Kaarel Liidak, since 26 January 1940 Ants Käspre. Every Estonian practicing agronomist had member rights of the Chamber. Council of the Chamber had 25 elective members. - Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Chamber of Co-operation was an Estonian vocational self-government institution that existed from 1936 to 1940 with 60 elective members. It was established by a decree of 22 November 1935. The chairman was Aleksander Kask.
- Chamber of Dairy-masters ( was an Estonian vocational self-government during the years 1936–1940. The Council of the Chamber had 25 elective members.
- Chamber of Engineering
- Chamber of Fishery was a vocational self-government of Estonian fishers during the years 1936–1940. Chairman was Mart Laagus. ouncil of the Chamber was composed of 35 elective and 5 appointed (by the Minister of Agriculture) members.
- Chamber of Handicraft was a vocational self-government of Estonian artisanArtisanAn artisan is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewellery, household items, and tools...
s during the years 1936–1940. Chairman was Aleksander Naeres. The Chamber had 77 elective members. - Chamber of Homeowners
- Chamber of Household was an Estonian vocational self-government during the years 1936–1940. The Chamber had 50 elective members. Chairwoman was Linda Eenpalu.
- Chamber of Pharmacists was a vocational self-government of Estonian pharmacistPharmacistPharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
s. Every Estonian practicing pharmacist had member rights of the Chamber. Council of the Chamber was composed of 20 elective members. Chairman was Karl Jürison. - Chamber of Physicians was a vocational self-government of Estonian physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
s during the years 1935–1940. Every practicing Estonian physician (928 in the year 1935) had member rights of the Chamber. The Council of the Chamber had 30 elective members. Adalbert Lübeck was the chairman. - Chamber of Private Employees was an Estonian vocational self-government during the years 1937–1940. Chairman was Aleksander Oinas. The Chamber was composed of 48 elective members.
- Chamber of Teachers
- Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons was a vocational self-government of Estonian veterinarianVeterinarianA veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
s during the years 1935–1940. Chairman was August Arras, since 1939 August Mõttus. Every practicing Estonian veterinarian (186 in 1938) had member rights of the Chamber. Council of the Chamber had 25 elective members. - Chamber of Workers was a vocational self-government of Estonian workers during the years 1936–1940. Chairman was Johannes Kurvits. The Chamber was composed of 30 elective members.