Authors

• Advisory Council for Youth Affairs (Nuora)
• Finnish Youth Research Society. Finnish Youth Research Network
• Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities

Keywords

citizen participation, local government policy, political participation, public services, social influence, voting, young people, youth

Abstract

The survey charted attitudes to local democracy among people aged between 15 and 30. Respondents' opinions on local government policy, party policy and municipal services were studied with attitudinal statements. Some questions focused on inequality, immigrants and ways and channels of political influence. Respondents were asked to what extent characterisations such as local citizen and member of global community apply to them. They were also asked whether they would vote in the following municipal elections, if they had the right to vote, and which party they would vote for then and now. Respondents who would not vote were asked reasons for their decisions and those who would vote were asked to state aspects that would influence their choice of candidate.

Representative and interest groups for young people in the municipality were charted. Respondents assessed how much power different bodies have, for example, municipal council and the media. Opinions on local government policy were studied with attitudinal statements whose themes pertained to citizens' possibilities to influence the policy, young people and local government policy and respondents' willingness to be involved in the process of local democracy. Attitudes to organisations and associations and their activities as well as taking measures such as municipal initiatives were studied. In case respondents themselves were politically active, their trust in, for example, friends, other citizens and international non-governmental organisations was examined. Finally, respondents were asked whether they are satisfied with municipal services and measures, for example, libraries, cafés, employment and prevention of social exclusion. Their willingness to influence or participate in making decisions on these matters was also charted.

Background variables included respondent's gender, age, educational institution, field of study, economic activity, and sector and industry of employment.