Authors

• Centre for Finnish Business and Policy Studies (EVA)
• Yhdyskuntatutkimus

Keywords

European integration, Finland, attitudes, economic and social development, economic growth, economic recession, environment, future, national identity, political leaders, political parties, social welfare

Abstract

The survey studied attitudes and values of the Finns. The survey had four main themes: the state of political (social) culture, Finnish national identity, relationship between economic growth and recession, and expectations of the future. The survey focused on a few central issues that were related to the threats and possibilities at the time of the survey. A major background factor in the atmosphere was a deep economic recession with its various effects on society. On the basis of different propositions the respondents were asked about their expectations for the present and the future, threat factors affecting the future (e.g. the situation in Russia), environmental problems, and economic development. In addition, attitudes towards internationalisation, European integration, position of Finland, and recession were studied along with the respondents' views on welfare, trade unions, entrepreneurship, political action, and environmental issues. The respondents were also asked about their opinion of values connected to political decision-making, qualities of political and business leaders, development trends of Finland and Europe, the significance of economic growth to society and to the well-being of its members, the basic features of Finnish national identity.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age group, size of municipality of residence, province of residence, occupational group, basic education, vocational education, trade union membership, employer type, industry of employment, field of activity in work-life, self-perceived social class, mother tongue, and the party R would vote for if the parliamentary elections were held at that time.