The Finnish Political System, Essay

The student understands the central features of the Finnish political system and its institutions as well as its historical development. The student acquires in-depth knowledge of Finnish parties, national and local elections, and understands the specific features of political participation in Finland. Moreover, the student understands the roles of the key political institutions, trade unions, non-governmental organizations and media in the Finnish political system and is able to analyse Finland’s international relations.

Finnish political system; political decision-making and institutions;
Finnish parties and elections; the role of trade unions,
non-governmental organizations and media; Finland’s international
relations.

An essay is an extended piece of (academic) writing on a particular topic or theme that you carefully analyze. You must always contact the responsible teacher of the study unit before starting to write the essay. With the responsible teacher you should discuss and agree on the theme and scope of the essay, the book(s) it will compensate for, and its length. Furthermore, the examiner must approve the bibliography before you can start writing. Citations, references and the bibliography need to be marked and listed in accordance with good scientific practice (see further instructions from the Politics’ Guide to Writing Academic Papers).

You can find the Guide to Writing Academic Papers here (detailed instructions for writing essays on page 7).

Compulsory Prerequisites

• Introduction to Political Science, POL.102, 5 cr

Karvonen, Parties, Governments and Voters in Finland: Politics Under Fundamental Societal Transformation. ECPR Press 2014 (3 ECTS).

or

Niemi, Raunio & Ruostetsaari (eds.), Poliittinen valta Suomessa. Vastapaino 2017 (3 ECTS) / Karvonen, Paloheimo & Raunio (eds.), The Changing Balance of Political Power in Finland. Santérus Academic Press 2016 (3 ECTS).

and

Ruostetsaari, Vallan sisäpiirissä. Vastapaino 2014. (2 ECTS) / Ruostetsaari, Elite Recruitment and Coherence of the Inner Core of Power in Finland. Changing Patterns during the Economic Crises of 1991-2011 Lexington Books 2015 (2 ECTS)

or

Raunio & Wiberg (eds.), Eduskunta: kansanvaltaa puolueiden ja hallituksen ehdoilla. Vastapaino 2014 (2 ECTS).

Please contact teacher in charge for alternative literature in English.

General scale, 0-5

• YHTOPPIOAY Social Studies for Subject Teachers, Open University Studies