Finns take a relatively dim view of politics and politicians

Only a handful of those between 18 and 29 have a party membership card

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A recent study conducted by political researcher Dr. Sami Borg indicates that Finns are more passive about social and political issues than Swedes, Norwegians, or Danes. As many as 70% of all citizens felt that they could not even think of being actively involved in some political grouping.
     
Based on information collected at the end of 2002, containing data from 22 European countries, Dr Borg's study compared particularly the attitudes towards politics of the citizens in various Nordic countries.
      The Finns' attitudes toward politicians are cynical and jaundiced. Almost 50% of respondents believed that most or all politicians are more interested in the votes they receive than in their voters' opinions. Furthermore, the study showed that citizens generally feel that only few if any politicians are interested in voters' hopes and opinions.
      In Sweden, Norway and Denmark, the attitudes are slightly less negative.
     
A total of 7% of all Finns are members of a political party, while only 3% of the 18- to 29-year-olds belong to a political party.
      Since the 1990s, voter turnouts in Finland have been falling below the Western European average.
      On the other hand, the citizens in all Nordic countries generally felt that the democratic system and their governments operate fairly well.
     
According to Dr Borg, the falling voter turnouts can be explained by the fact that voting is no longer connected to a sense of its being a symbol of good citizenship.
      Another reason is an outdated party system that does not reflect the current differences of opinion within the society in the best possible way.
      Moreover, the consensus-oriented decision-making process in politics and the burgeoning degree of "personification" in the political branch both tend to blur socio-political alternatives, Borg argues.
      Dr Borg notes further that some of Finland's media are undermining the respect and integrity felt toward politics by bringing up minor issues.
      Furthermore, he blames the weak culture of political debate in Finland, where ideas are shot down without due consideration for their merits, simply because they are voiced by political opponents.
     
Disregard and even contempt toward politics in Finland may prevent competent individuals from joining political parties and entering as candidates for elections.
      At a seminar on civic involvement of citizens on Monday, Minister of Justice Johannes Koskinen (SDP) expressed his concern that Finland may be falling toward European average levels in political participation. Previously, involvement in social and political issues was strong in Finland, and the trend should now be turned back with the aim of having Finland among the best-working European democracies in the future.


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