Argo Ideon presents book on Kaido Kama’s political career

Argo Ideon’s new book looks at Kaido Kama, a central figure in Estonia’s post-Soviet political transformation, through the years 1987 to 1995.

Kama emerged from the forests of Võrumaa onto the political front line. He helped initiate the idea of the Estonian Congress and took part in founding the first Estonian Conservative People’s Party. As justice minister in Mart Laar’s government, he helped lay the foundations of Estonia’s modern legal system and guided the country’s far-reaching property reform.

The book portrays Kama as a direct and uncompromising nationalist. Its account emphasizes his practical, farmer’s logic and his willingness to abandon the doctrines of Soviet law in favor of continental European traditions and innovative solutions.

Despite notable electoral success in 1995, Kama deliberately withdrew from state power and returned to his home region of Võrumaa. Ideon based the book mainly on interviews with Kama, materials from his private archive, and documents from the period.

The book, titled “Building One’s Own State,” will be presented on Sept. 9 at 4:30 p.m. at Rahva Raamat in Tartu’s Tasku Centre and on Sept. 10 at the same time at Rahva Raamat in Tallinn’s Viru Centre. Tiit Pruuli will moderate a discussion with Ideon and Kama.