Aatteen lipusta hallitun kamppailun foorumiksi : periaatteellinen puolueohjelma harjaannuttamisen ja poliittisen pätevöitymisen näyttämönä

Authors

• Eeva Aarnio

Abstract

The role of the party manifesto has changed. When the concept of a manifesto is studied the interactivity of participants in the process of revising the content assumens a central position. Analysis of this interaction brings to light the new elements and goals of a manifesto. First, it seems that nowadays it is more important to participate in the writing process while remaining in the background, and to become familiar with the ideas and above all with different ways of thinking. As late as in the 1960’s learning the text by heart was encouraged. Secondly, political questions have expanded and become complex. It seems that even the writers of a manifesto are obliged to become more familiar with what questions are important or will become topical in the future. Together they have to make choices between different questions and interpretations. Thirdly, in agreement with the increased number of political questions the process of revising a manifesto is the essential arena of practising and maintaining one’s own political thinking. Everyday party action does not give room for this. The contributory factors to activating political thinking are profound questioning, listening to others and making one’s own interpretations, joining them at the same time to the entirety of the principles of a party.