Select variable

[fsd_no] FSD study number

[fsd_vr] FSD edition number

[fsd_pro] FSD processing level

[fsd_id] FSD case id

[talousid] Household id

[henkilo] Person id

[q1] Did you vote in the municipal elections in October 1996?

[q2] Which party's or group's representative did you vote for in the 1996 municipal elections?

[q3] Did you vote in the parliamentary elections held recently?

[q4] Did you vote in advance or on the actual election day?

[q5] Which party's or other group's representative did you vote for in the parliamentary elections held quite recently?

[q6_1] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The party is promoting the interests of the professional / social group in which I belong.

[q6_2] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The performance on TV of the representatives of the party / group.

[q6_3] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The party has a good leader.

[q6_4] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? I am a regular supporter of the party/group.

[q6_6] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The party/group has competent people for making nation-wide decisions.

[q6_6] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The ideology of the party/group is close to mine.

[q6_7] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The actions of the party/group during previous election period.

[q6_8] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The policies of the party/group in the parliament or in the government.

[q6_9] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? I chose a competent person from the list of candidates and didn't pay any attention to the party.

[q6_10] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The party/group was the least bad choice among bad alternatives.

[q6_11] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? The party promotes good cooperation with labour market organizations.

[q6_12] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? Custom/habit; most of the time you have voted for the same party.

[q6_13] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? A willingness to change the composition of the government coalition.

[q6_14] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? A willingness to support the current government.

[q6_15] How much did following factors affect your choice of party or group in the parliamentary elections? A willingness to secure the participation in cabinet of the party you voted for.

[q7_1] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Environmental issues.

[q7_2] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to employment.

[q7_3] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to taxation.

[q7_4] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to social security.

[q7_5] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to unemployment benefits.

[q7_6] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to pensions.

[q7_7] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to cuts in the public sector.

[q7_8] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to regional policy.

[q7_9] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to agriculture.

[q7_10] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to foreign policy.

[q7_11] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to equality between men and women.

[q7_12] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to Finnish policy towards the EU.

[q7_13] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to national economy.

[q7_14] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to securing public services.

[q7_15] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to labour market policies.

[q7_16] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to an eventual membership of Finland in NATO.

[q7_17] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to health care.

[q7_18] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to energy and nuclear power.

[q7_19] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to the circumstances of families with children.

[q7_20] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to the future government coalition of the country.

[q7_21] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to diminishing crime and criminality.

[q7_22] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to abuse of social security benefits.

[q7_23] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to the circumstances of families with children.

[q7_24] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to reducing the national debt.

[q7_25] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to supporting entrepreneurial activites in the country.

[q7_26] How important were these issues when you made your decision to vote in the parliamentary elections? Issues related to defending the workers' interests and job security.

[q8] At what stage did you make your final choice of what party's or group's candidate you were going to vote?

[q9] What did you do in the Parliamentary elections?

[q10_1] When you decided for whom to vote in the Parliamentary elections, how important in your view were the following things? The candidate is a member of the party you support.

[q10_2] When you decided for whom to vote in the Parliamentary elections, how important in your view were the following things? You had a clear conception of the things this person was promoting and would defend as a member of parliament.

[q10_3] When you decided for whom to vote in the Parliamentary elections, how important in your view were the following things? You had a clear idea about the candidate as a person and a human being.

[q10_4] When you decided for whom to vote in the Parliamentary elections, how important in your view were the following things? The candidate represents the same sex as you do.

[q10_5] When you decided for whom to vote in the Parliamentary elections, how important in your view were the following things? The candidate represents the same age-group as you do.

[q10_6] When you decided for whom to vote in the Parliamentary elections, how important in your view were the following things? You had voted for this person earlier.

[q10_7] When you decided for whom to vote in the Parliamentary elections, how important in your view were the following things? The candidate was well-known and he/she had a good chance of being elected.

[q11_1] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Newspaper articles.

[q11_2] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Articles in magazines.

[q11_3] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Radio programmes dealing with the elections.

[q11_4] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Election debates on TV.

[q11_5] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? News and current affairs programmes on TV.

[q11_6] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Election advertising in the newspapers.

[q11_7] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Election advertising on TV.

[q11_8] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Election advertising on local radio.

[q11_9] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Other election advertising.

[q11_10] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Election campaign events.

[q11_11] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Friends, acquaintances, colleagues at work.

[q11_12] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Entertainment and other informal programmes on TV.

[q11_13] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Discussions at the workplace.

[q11_14] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Political stands of the trade unions.

[q11_15] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Internet.

[q11_16] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? Tele-Text TV.

[q11_17] To what extent would you say you got information from the following sources to confirm your decision to vote? The campaign of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions urging people to vote.

[q12] Before the elections, did you see in full television commercials of the candidates or the parties?

[q13_1] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Finnish Social Democratic Party.

[q13_2] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Centre Party of Finland.

[q13_3] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? National Coalition Party.

[q13_4] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Left Alliance.

[q13_5] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Swedish People's Party.

[q13_6] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Green League of Finland.

[q13_7] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Christian League of Finland.

[q13_8] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? True Finns.

[q13_9] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Reform Group.

[q13_10] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Finnish Progressive Party.

[q13_11] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? Some other.

[q13_12] Of which political parties' or groups' and their candidates' commercials have you seen on TV? I can't say.

[q14_1] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? None of the parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties.

[q14_2] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Finnish Social Democratic Party.

[q14_3] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Centre Party of Finland.

[q14_4] your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? National Coalition Party.

[q14_5] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Left Alliance.

[q14_6] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Swedish People's Party.

[q14_7] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Green League of Finland.

[q14_8] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Christian League of Finland.

[q14_9] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? True Finns.

[q14_10] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Reform Group.

[q14_11] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Finnish Progressive Party.

[q14_12] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? Some other.

[q14_13] In your view, what parties used TV commercials that were critical towards other parties? I can't say.

[q15] How successful do you think the TV commercials of the Social Democratic Party were?

[q16] How successful do you think the TV commercials of the Centre Party were?

[q17] How successful do you think the TV commercials of the National Coalition Party were?

[q18] Were the TV commercials of the Social Democratic Party issue- or image-oriented?

[q19] Were the TV commercials of the Centre Party issue- or image-oriented?

[q20] Were the TV commercials of the Coalition Party issue- or image-oriented?

[q21] Did you participate in any election campaign event organized by the candidates or political parties/groups?

[q22] Do you use the Internet regularly, either at home, at your work or elsewhere?

[q23] Did you visit the website of some party or parties before the elections?

[q24_1] Which party's website page you visited? Finnish Social Democratic Party

[q24_2] Which party's website you visited? Centre Party of Finland

[q24_3] Which party's website you visited? National Coalition Party

[q24_4] Which party's website you visited? Left Alliance

[q24_5] Which party's website you visited? Swedish People's Party

[q24_6] Which party's website you visited? Green League of Finland

[q24_7] Which party's website you visited? Christian League of Finland

[q24_8] Which party's website you visited? True Finns

[q24_9] Which party's website you visited? Reform Group

[q24_10] Which party's website you visited? Finnish Progressive Party

[q24_11] Which party's website you visited? Some other party or group

[q24_12] Which party's website you visited? I can't say

[q25] Did you visit the website of any particular candidate?

[q26] Did you contact any party candidate or some other representative of a party through the Internet?

[q27] Did you use the candidate selector of the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) or some other site in order to find a suitable candidate for yourself?

[q28_1] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I had difficulties in finding a suitable candidate.

[q28_2] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I was prevented from attending.

[q28_3] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I didn't remember to vote.

[q28_4] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I didn't feel like voting.

[q28_5] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? My vote would have been meaningless with regard to the final outcome of the elections.

[q28_6] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I don't trust politics and politicians in general.

[q28_7] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I wanted to protest against politics and politicians.

[q28_8] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I had difficulties in finding a suitable party/group.

[q28_9] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I am not in the least interested in politics.

[q28_10] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I didn't feel that there were any benefits in it for me to vote.

[q28_11] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? The weather on election day was so bad.

[q28_12] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? By abstaining I wanted to give a little jolt to the government.

[q28_13] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? By abstaining I wanted to give a little jolt to the party I've usually supported.

[q28_14] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because the parties, candidates and campaigns were so lame and uninspired.

[q28_15] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because I didn't have at my disposal enough material, brochures and leaflets about the candidates and the parties.

[q28_16] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because the party I have usually supported hasn't lived up to its earlier promises.

[q28_17] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because the unemployment rate has not come down fast enough.

[q28_18] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because things seem to get along reasonably well even without voting.

[q28_19] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because the party I have usually supported has not been able to promote its basic objectives in Parliament and the Government.

[q28_20] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because the party I have usually supported is currently pursuing policies I disapprove.

[q28_21] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because the state has carried out cuts in the welfare services.

[q28_22] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I abstained because I have usually abstained in the past, too and only vote in special cases - if even then.

[q28_23] To what extent did the following things affect the fact that you didn't vote at all? I didn't bother to vote.

[q29] Let's make a mental experiment. Think carefully regardless if you voted in the elections or not. If you were forced to vote, which of these parties/groups would be your choice, and if none of them, try to pick the least unpleasant alternative.

[q30] Are you at the moment...

[q31] What government coalition would you say is best? Choose from the following alternatives the one you would like to see as the basis of a new coalition government.

[q32] Let's get back to the parliamentary elections of 1995. Did you vote in the 1995 parliamentary elections?

[q33] In the 1995 parliamentary elections, which party's or group's candidate did you vote for?

[bv1] How many persons in household?

[bv2] Number of children aged under 21.

[bv3] Respondent's annual gross income.

[bv5] Occupation of the head of the household.

[bv6] Sex of the respondent.

[bv7] Year of birth.

[bv8] Marital status.

[bv9] Basic education.

[bv10] Vocational education.

[bv11] Economic activity and occupational status.

[bv12] Current employment status.

[bv13] Field of activities.

[bv14] Employer type.

[bv15] Trade union membership.

[bv16] Which party or group would you vote for?

[bv17] Respondent's phase of life

[bv18] Language.

[bv19] Which political party or group did you vote for in the municipal elections in October 1996?

[bv20] Party affiliation: left - right

[bv21] Which social class do you attribute yourself to?

[bv22] How old are you?

[bv23] Locality.

[bv24] Urban - rural.

[bv25] Urban - rural 2.

[bv26] Province (Regional division valid up till 31.8.1997).

[bv27] Administrative regional units.

[bv28_1] Age of the oldest child living in the household

[bv28_2] Age of the second oldest child living in the household

[bv28_3] Age of the third oldest child living in the household

[bv28_4] Age of the fourth oldest child living in the household

[bv28_5] Age of the fifth oldest child living in the household

[bv28_6] Age of the sixth oldest child living in the household

[bv28_7] Age of the seventh oldest child living in the household

[bv28_8] Age of the eighth oldest child living in the household

[bv28_9] Age of the ninth oldest child living in the household

[bv30] Are you the person with the highest income in the household?

[bv31] Are you responsible for what food and other everyday products are bought to the household?

[bv32] Do you do the cooking in the household?

[bv33] Age when respondent finished studying full-time