Suomen poliittinen kulttuuri

Authors

• Jaakko Nousiainen

Abstract

The article is based on a speech given at the meeting of the Finnish Political Science Association in January 1983. It presents an alternative interpretation of the phenomenon called the alienation of citizens from the political process, which manifests itself, among other things, in diminished interest in conventional party activity, decreasing trust in the MPs’ will and ability to work in the interest of the electorate and a lowering in the level of overall support given to public institutions (e.g. bureaucracy and courts of justice). A broad historical analysis leads to the hypothesis that only since the sixties have the Finns rejected their traditional authority patterns, and are now approaching politics more citizen-minded than before and equiped with increased individual resources. A critical stance regarding powerholders and the challenging of all authorities in a transition period has inevitably increased the distance between the masses and the political elite.