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Papers by Jelena Helemäe
East European Politics and Societies
In postcommunist Estonia, the topic of inequality was considered “embarrassing.” The dominant pop... more In postcommunist Estonia, the topic of inequality was considered “embarrassing.” The dominant popular assumption was that inequalities just happen naturally. Class and inequality discourse was effectively marginalized due to long-lasting success in focusing attention on nationalizing issues. A “transition culture” that lionized the capitalist future has also contributed to the marginalization of class discourse. Because of this marginalization, and the power of national/ethnic discourse and transitional culture, those most economically vulnerable were deprived of the cultural and discursive resources to resist the most extreme market-oriented policies. Sociologists did discuss inequality more seriously, but mostly according to a gradational and functional stratification paradigm: the central focus has been on individual attributes that divide people into classes. The analysis focusing on relations of exploitation and domination have been virtually absent in postcommunist Estonia. We...
Rethinking Gender, Work and Care in a New Europe, 2016
In this short essay, we try to assess the utility of class analyses for understanding the contemp... more In this short essay, we try to assess the utility of class analyses for understanding the contemporary Estonian society. Erik Wright (2009) identifi es three strands of class analysis: a stratifi cation approach, a Weberian approach and a Marxist approach. We address the following questions: Which kind of class analysis is most present in Estonia today? Which is most needed? The main conclusion is that due to this marginalisation of class discourse, as well as the power of national/ethnic discourse and transitional culture, those most economically vulnerable were deprived of the cultural and discursive resources to resist the most the extreme market-oriented policies. The conditions for structuration of class relations were created, while the class and inequality discourse was marginalised.
A strong VET system is increasingly seen as essential to overcoming the current economic crisis i... more A strong VET system is increasingly seen as essential to overcoming the current economic crisis in Europe. VET is seen as a powerful tool to assist in balancing labour market inefficiencies, increasing youth employment possibilities, and reducing skills mismatch. Its inherent flexibility and closeness to the labour market place VET in a good position to contribute to a faster economic recovery and long-term sustainable development. However, crucial for this role is continuous and systematic VET renewal that assures its relevance for the labour market. This publication explores 15 European national approaches to feedback mechanisms between VET and the labour market. It illustrates the diversity of solutions currently applied across Europe and how they are embedded in national traditions and education philosophy. The study asks three fundamental questions: how inclusive are national mechanisms for feedback between the VET system and the labour market; how responsive are existing mecha...
Studies for the Learning Society, 2008
Globalization, Uncertainty and Women’s Careers, 2006
Journal of Education and Work, 2013
Ethnicities, 2003
Page 1. Ethnic relations in Estonia's post-Soviet business community REIN VÖÖRMANN AND JELEN... more Page 1. Ethnic relations in Estonia's post-Soviet business community REIN VÖÖRMANN AND JELENA HELEMÄE Tallinn Pedagogical University, Estonia ABSTRACT The central focus of this paper is an analysis of the problems ...
Globalized Labour Markets and Social Inequality in Europe, 2011
East European Politics and Societies
In postcommunist Estonia, the topic of inequality was considered “embarrassing.” The dominant pop... more In postcommunist Estonia, the topic of inequality was considered “embarrassing.” The dominant popular assumption was that inequalities just happen naturally. Class and inequality discourse was effectively marginalized due to long-lasting success in focusing attention on nationalizing issues. A “transition culture” that lionized the capitalist future has also contributed to the marginalization of class discourse. Because of this marginalization, and the power of national/ethnic discourse and transitional culture, those most economically vulnerable were deprived of the cultural and discursive resources to resist the most extreme market-oriented policies. Sociologists did discuss inequality more seriously, but mostly according to a gradational and functional stratification paradigm: the central focus has been on individual attributes that divide people into classes. The analysis focusing on relations of exploitation and domination have been virtually absent in postcommunist Estonia. We...
Rethinking Gender, Work and Care in a New Europe, 2016
In this short essay, we try to assess the utility of class analyses for understanding the contemp... more In this short essay, we try to assess the utility of class analyses for understanding the contemporary Estonian society. Erik Wright (2009) identifi es three strands of class analysis: a stratifi cation approach, a Weberian approach and a Marxist approach. We address the following questions: Which kind of class analysis is most present in Estonia today? Which is most needed? The main conclusion is that due to this marginalisation of class discourse, as well as the power of national/ethnic discourse and transitional culture, those most economically vulnerable were deprived of the cultural and discursive resources to resist the most the extreme market-oriented policies. The conditions for structuration of class relations were created, while the class and inequality discourse was marginalised.
A strong VET system is increasingly seen as essential to overcoming the current economic crisis i... more A strong VET system is increasingly seen as essential to overcoming the current economic crisis in Europe. VET is seen as a powerful tool to assist in balancing labour market inefficiencies, increasing youth employment possibilities, and reducing skills mismatch. Its inherent flexibility and closeness to the labour market place VET in a good position to contribute to a faster economic recovery and long-term sustainable development. However, crucial for this role is continuous and systematic VET renewal that assures its relevance for the labour market. This publication explores 15 European national approaches to feedback mechanisms between VET and the labour market. It illustrates the diversity of solutions currently applied across Europe and how they are embedded in national traditions and education philosophy. The study asks three fundamental questions: how inclusive are national mechanisms for feedback between the VET system and the labour market; how responsive are existing mecha...
Studies for the Learning Society, 2008
Globalization, Uncertainty and Women’s Careers, 2006
Journal of Education and Work, 2013
Ethnicities, 2003
Page 1. Ethnic relations in Estonia's post-Soviet business community REIN VÖÖRMANN AND JELEN... more Page 1. Ethnic relations in Estonia's post-Soviet business community REIN VÖÖRMANN AND JELENA HELEMÄE Tallinn Pedagogical University, Estonia ABSTRACT The central focus of this paper is an analysis of the problems ...
Globalized Labour Markets and Social Inequality in Europe, 2011