Urho Kekkosen unohdettu väitöskirja

Authors

• Yrjö Hakanen

Abstract

In this article Urho Kekkonen’s idea of state and justice is examined through his Dissertation on Municipal Franchise (1936). While Kekkonen’s main interest in the early 30s still aimed at creating a solid unified governmental authority, in the dissertation the question of the subjective rights of the individual and the binding of the powerful state to justice was essential. — Differentiating from each other juridical procedure and individual desire, subject and plaintiff in the state power, state and people, state and justice, made Kekkonen emphasize certain subjective rights of the individual as well as of the elected Parliament. — However, recognizing the social tasks and character of justice created the basis for a realistic, dynamic conception of the constitutional state, based on evaluating existing diverse social interests. Recognizing dissimilarity of interests, ignoring the legalistic way of thinking, and the political view stressing the initiatory role of the state leadership also created the ideological basis for Kekkonen’s role as a national integrator. On their part, they created the basis for recognizing a certain pluralism in international relations, too.