DOCSLIB.ORG

Kaj Ilmonen SOCIAL CAPITAL and TRUST in FINLAND

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Kaj Ilmonen SOCIAL CAPITAL and TRUST in FINLAND Kaj Ilmonen SOCIAL CAPITAL AND TRUST IN FINLAND The exceptionally deep economic crisis which hit Finland at the beginning of the 90s had fundamental and long-lasting consequences for the structure and functioning of Finnish society. A substantial part of many businesses in some industries and some regions, was either swept away or hit by cut-backs, downsizing and restructuring. These economic shocks affected not only firms but also non-profit organizations and the functioning of the public sector. Therefore, there emerged a need to find out whether these changes affected the social relationships called “social capital” that is based on trust; and that relationships have been considered to be fairly well established and stable in the Nordic countries (f. ex. Eurobarometer 46/ 1996, 42) I will begin my review by defining social capital and explaining why it has become so popular in the 1990s that it could be regarded B with the AThird Sector@ B as a Awonder concept@ (Wunderbegriff), believed to be capable of solving at any rate, explaining, any current problem. Then I will say few words about Robert Putnam=s study on social capital and I will also consider the weaknesses in his frame of reference and concentrate on one of the central elements of social capital: trust. Finally, I will give a short description of trust in the Finnish context, and look at its variation between sex Finnish municipalities. The concept and topicality of social capital The concept of social capital ties in with the new interpretations now being made of the present-day changes in the visible environment. Though the concept has a multiphasic background, it has taken shape only recently. Almost magically, the concept seems to offer solutions to problems that arise when old social structures crumble. However, social capital is a tricky and complex concept, like so many other Apromising@ hybrid concepts. Typically it encompasses three elements. The first element includes a) social networks and the ways in which they are organized. They represent the formal side of the concept. Besides this, the concept has a substantial side that brings it close to the concept of institution in institutional economics (e.g. North, 1990). The networks are thought to hold together due to b) the trust that the members have in one another and c) the normative rules and reciprocal expectations connected with that trust (e.g. Putnam 1993, 167B176). A social network and the confidential 1 relations connected to it are thought to provide capital or, as Pierre Bourdieu put it, a resource for its members that can be moved around by the members, either individually or together if need be (1986). Social capital is not like economic capital, however, since it cannot be separated from its supporters and the relations that exist between them. In this respect social capital is not as easily movable as economic capital. Nor can it be invested, in the true sense of the word, to increase its value. Despite these Aflaws@ the concept of social capital attracts attention. Why is this? There are several reasons. I will only mention a few topical elements here. Without a doubt one of these is the strong comeback of economic liberalism in both economic and socio-political discourse in the 1980s. The reform of working life, and the diminishing economic leeway of the national state have both, in turn, paved the way for the return of liberalism. As part of the background to this development one can also see the processes described by the concept of post-industrial society B the erosion of traditional communities and social classes ands the consequent social philosophical discussions of exploring the characteristics of a good society (see Ilmonen, 1998). Many of these discussions date back to the fragmentation of feudal society, and are linked to names like Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.1 Robert Putnam and social capital Thus there are several ways of thinking and a variety of social situations that have made the concept of social capital increasingly topical (see Ilmonen 2000). However, they cannot be unproblematically transformed into the notion of social capital or into a scientific discourse based on this. They must first be translated into scientific language. This usually presupposes a set of concepts based on pre-existing theoretical formulations, and research carried out using that set of concepts. Robert Putman=s work Democracy is significant in this respect. Putnam=s basic question is what circumstances are best suited to support the creation of a strong representative (political) institution (1993, 6). To examine those factors, Putnam 1 It is interesting to note that during the economic liberalism of the 1980s and 1990s the same themes are topicalized as were brought up by John Locke, the central source of inspiration for liberalism, when he took a stance against a strong monarchy and state. He wanted to make sure that private ownership would have a legal position in relation to the state, and he nominated Apolitical society@, i.e. civil society, as a guarantee of this. By Apolitical society@ he meant the orderly part of civil society (Locke 1996, 117B119). 2 compares Northern Italy to Southern Italy. This comparison is historical. According to it, Northern Italy as a civil society has for long been in many ways stronger or Amore civic@ than its Southern counterpart. This observation makes the comparison meaningful and leads Putnam to two general conclusions: 1) When civil society is strong, or Acivic@, the market functions better than it otherwise would (1993, 181). In this way he managed to confirm the tenet of institutional economics that the economy is not an island apart from other social activities but instead leans on existing social structures and institutional arrangements and on the trust created by them. 2) When civil society is strong, even the state functions better (98, 173, 181). So, Putnam proposes that social capital is necessary for the smooth functioning of both government policies and the economy. These generalizations are Putnam=s answers to the politically loaded debate over the supremacy of either markets or hierarchies. According to him, neither functions well unless there is a third, Simmelian intermediary factor: a civilized civil society. The views cherished by neo-liberals and the so-called “real socialism”, which assume the antagonism of the market and the state are, therefore, false. Both must be fitted into civil society, and its nature over time will decide the form between the relationship between the market and the state will take. In other words, Putnam=s view is that it is exactly the high degree of civility in civil society that secures the smooth functioning of the market and the polis, since civility guarantees social order and the unhindered functioning of society. 2 In Putnam=s view, civic society is marked by the existence of social networks of reciprocity and trust. As an example he mentions the Apopular sociability@ that developed in 19th century France and that had become more common in Northern Italy, too, in the late 19th century. It was characterized by mutual aid organizations, trade organizations, credit institutions3 and the voluntary work institution (Aaiutarella@), etc. (1993, 139). These and other reciprocal social networks formed the welfare state of the time (ibid., 199). Their existence strengthened, in Putnam=s opinion, the mutual trust of the population. That, in turn, required not the feudal, hierarchical structures of oppression, but a strengthening of equality and common participation (ibid., 104 105). Both of these improve the moral preconditions for crossing family and other group barriers. 2 Putnam admits, naturally, that social order can be maintained even in uncivilized conditions characterized by strong hierarchical dependence and exploitation (1993, 180). 3 In mainland Europe foreign trade was already conducted through credit at the beginning of the first millenium. The word Acredit@ derives from the Latin Acredere@, which means to trust, to have faith. 3 When social capital is in motion, it feeds on itself. The strengthening of social capital takes place, according to Putnam, mainly indirectly: First, a betrayal of trust increases the potential costs in individual transactions. Second, a social network sustains the existing norm of reciprocity. Third, its existence makes communication easier and improves the flow of information. Fourth, previous successful instances of cooperation, which strengthen the members= faith in the opportunities cooperation may bring them, accumulate in the networks (Putnam 1993, 173B174). All in all, Putnam suggests that social capital is an emergent phenomenon that follows this pattern: social networks B norms of reciprocity B trust B social networks. This pattern as a whole defines a civilized community. Thus, according to Putnam, social capital does not solely support the economy and credible politics but is rather an extra-legal a counterpart of a social contract. It is based on legitimacy and morality rather than legal criteria. The concepts refer precisely to what Durkheim means when he discusses the non-contractual element in a contract (1990, 71, 255B257). A critique of social capital and Putman Putnam=s project is currently in political demand. It is connected to the tug-of-war between the neo-liberals and communitarians. Right after the publication of his book Democracy, Putnam took part in the debate and sided strongly with the communitarians (Favell 1998, 222). He stresses how fortunate those who live in a civilized community are (1993, 113). At the same time he frets about the considerable decay that has affected the social capital accumulated in American society over the past few decades (1995, 73). He believes that the current development will weaken the integration of American society on the whole. In clinging onto this belief Putnam brushes aside the Granovetter Hypothesis without a mention.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • History of Stratigraphical Research in Northern Finland
    Radiometric age determinations from Finnish Lapland and their bearing on the timing of Precambrian volcano-sedimentary sequences Edited by Matti Vaasjoki Geological Survey of Finland, Special Paper 33, 15– 43 , 2001. HISTORY OF STRATIGRAPHICAL RESEARCH IN NORTHERN FINLAND by Eero Hanski Hanski, Eero 2001. History of stratigraphical research in northern Finland. Geological Survey of Finland, Special Paper 33,, 15–43.15–43. 66 figures.figures. AnAn overview overview on on the the results results of of stratigraphical stratigraphical research research carried carried out in northern Finland (Central Lapland, the Kuusamo and Peräpohja schist belts) since the early 20th century is presented. The traditional stratigraphical names, Lapponian and Kumpu and their derivatives, which have been widely used in northern Finland, were defined in the 1920s and 1930s when the stratigraphical interpretations were based on establishing cycles of sedimen- tation separated by diastrophisms and intrusions of granites with then unknown ages. Later results of isotopic and geological work have forced the investigators to revise their stratigraphical schemes and regional correlations, but the nomenclature rooted to the traditional names has continued their life until recently. Particularly, the chronostratigraphical position of the Lapponian and Kumpu rocks and their lithostratigraphical correlation with the traditional Karelian formations have been a controversial issue over the years. The review illuminates the reasons that led to this long-lasting lack of consensus and explains why the abandonment of the old names along with the adoption of the formal lithostratigraphical nomenclature was still neces- sary as late as in the 1990s. Key words (GeoRef Thesaurus, AGI): stratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, greenstone belts, schist belts, metamorphic rocks, Paleoproterozoic, Archean, research, history, Kuusamo, Peräpohja, central Lapland, northern Finland Eero Hanski, Geological Survey of Finland,P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • Kuntalaisten Hyvinvointikokemukset Lapissa
    Lapin yliopiston yhteiskuntatieteellisiä julkaisuja B. Tutkimusraportteja ja selvityksiä 62 Marika Kunnari ja Asko Suikkanen Kuntalaisten hyvinvointikokemukset Lapissa Lapin yliopisto Rovaniemi 2013 Lapin yliopisto, yhteiskuntatieteiden tiedekunta © Tekijät Taitto: Ritva Lahtinen Kansien toteutus: Irma Varrio Painopaikka: Erweko Oy, Oulu ISSN 0788-768X ISBN 978-952-484-701-8 Pdf: ISBN 978-952-484-702-5 3 TIIVISTELMÄ Kunnari, Marika ja Suikkanen, Asko (2014): Kuntalaisten hyvinvointikokemukset Lapissa. Lapin yliopiston yhteiskuntatieteellisiä julkaisuja B. Tutkimusraportteja ja selvityksiä 62. ISBN (nid.) 978-952-484-701-8 ISBN (pdf) 978-952-484-702-5 Kuntalaisten hyvinvointikokemukset Lapissa -tutkimus on yksi Pohjoisen hyvinvoinnin tietopaikka -hankkeen kolmesta toimintakokonaisuudesta. Sen tutkimuskohteena on subjektiivinen tieto. Tut- kimuksen tavoitteena on tuottaa eri toimijoille hyvinvointitietoa koskien kuntalaisten omia koke- muksia heidän hyvinvointinsa tilasta ja siihen liittyvistä uhkakuvista. Tavoitteena on lisäksi tuoda päätöksenteon tueksi tietoa seutukunnittain niistä ihmisryhmistä ja kunnista, joissa hyvinvoinnin heikkenemiskokemukset ovat erityisen yleisiä. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on edelleen syventää subjek- tiivisen hyvinvoinnin käsitteellistämistä ja ymmärtämistä kohti ihmisten itsensä kokemaa hyvinvoin- tia. Tarkastelun keskiössä ovat hyvinvoinnin heikkenemis- sekä tyytymättömyyskokemukset liittyen taloudelliseen toimeentuloon, palkkatyöhön, opiskeluun, asuinkunnan palvelujen saatavuuteen, asuinkunnan ominaisuuksiin,
    [Show full text]
  • Transnational Finnish Mobilities: Proceedings of Finnforum XI
    Johanna Leinonen and Auvo Kostiainen (Eds.) Johanna Leinonen and Auvo Kostiainen This volume is based on a selection of papers presented at Johanna Leinonen and Auvo Kostiainen (Eds.) the conference FinnForum XI: Transnational Finnish Mobili- ties, held in Turku, Finland, in 2016. The twelve chapters dis- cuss two key issues of our time, mobility and transnational- ism, from the perspective of Finnish migration. The volume is divided into four sections. Part I, Mobile Pasts, Finland and Beyond, brings forth how Finland’s past – often imagined TRANSNATIONAL as more sedentary than today’s mobile world – was molded by various short and long-distance mobilities that occurred FINNISH MOBILITIES: both voluntarily and involuntarily. In Part II, Transnational Influences across the Atlantic, the focus is on sociocultural PROCEEDINGS OF transnationalism of Finnish migrants in the early 20th cen- tury United States. Taken together, Parts I and II show how FINNFORUM XI mobility and transnationalism are not unique features of our FINNISH MOBILITIES TRANSNATIONAL time, as scholars tend to portray them. Even before modern communication technologies and modes of transportation, migrants moved back and forth and nurtured transnational ties in various ways. Part III, Making of Contemporary Finn- ish America, examines how Finnishness is understood and maintained in North America today, focusing on the con- cepts of symbolic ethnicity and virtual villages. Part IV, Con- temporary Finnish Mobilities, centers on Finns’ present-day emigration patterns, repatriation experiences, and citizen- ship practices, illustrating how, globally speaking, Finns are privileged in their ability to be mobile and exercise transna- tionalism. Not only is the ability to move spread very uneven- ly, so is the capability to upkeep transnational connections, be they sociocultural, economic, political, or purely symbol- ic.
    [Show full text]
  • The Geophysical Observatory in Sodankylä, Finland – Past and Present
    Hist. Geo Space Sci., 12, 115–130, 2021 https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-12-115-2021 © Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. The Geophysical Observatory in Sodankylä, Finland – past and present Tilmann Bösinger University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland Correspondence: Tilmann Bösinger ([email protected]) Received: 4 April 2021 – Accepted: 9 June 2021 – Published: 5 August 2021 Abstract. After a preface, we will first try to depict the history of the Geophysical Observatory in Sodankylä (SGO) by referring to the personalities who have run and have shaped the observatory. Thereafter, we describe the history from a technical point of view, i.e., what the measurements were, and which instruments were primarily used at the observatory. We will also refer to present operational forms and techniques. We start with the very first systematic meteorological and geophysical observations made in Finland and end by referring to the involvement in ongoing international scientific programs. 1 Preface thereby, developed to the current Finnish Meteorological In- stitute (FMI; see below). Sodankylä (SOD)1 is a village located about 800 km (950 km The University of Helsinki abandoned its magnetic obser- by car) north of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. From the vatory in 1881, and the observatory was transferred to the Arctic Circle, it is about 125 km northward to the village. It management of the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters is embedded in the auroral belt. (FSSL)2, which was established in 1838. The priorities of the Regular meteorological observations in Finland started observatory changed from magnetism to meteorology, but in the middle of the 18th century at the Royal Academy magnetic measurements have continued up to today.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulletin Vol92 2 77-98 Aberg-Etal
    Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland, Vol. 92, 2020, pp 77–98, https://doi.org/10.17741/bgsf/92.2.001 Weichselian sedimentary record and ice-flow patterns in the Sodankylä area, central Finnish Lapland Annika Katarina Åberg1*, Seija Kultti1, Anu Kaakinen1, Kari O. Eskola2 and Veli-Pekka Salonen1 1Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2b, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland 2Laboratory of Chronology, Finnish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 64, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2b, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland Abstract Three different till units separated by interstadial fluvial deposits were observed in the Sodankylä area in the River Kitinen valley, northern Finland. The interbedded glaciofluvial sediments and palaeosol were dated by OSL to the Early (79±12 to 67±13 ka) and Middle (41±9 ka) Weichselian. A LiDAR DEM, glacial lineations, the flow direction of till fabrics, esker chains and striations were applied to investigate the glacial flow patterns of the Sodankylä, Kittilä and Salla areas. The analysis revealed that the youngest movement of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet is not visible as DEM lineations within the studied areas. The modern morphology in Kittilä and Salla shows streamlined landforms of various dimensions mainly oriented from the NW and NNW, respectively, corresponding to the Early/Middle Weichselian ice-flow directions inferred from till fabrics. The Late Weichselian ice flow has produced an insignificant imprint on the landforms. This study suggests a northern location for the ice-divide zone during the Early/Middle Weichselian, and a more western–southwestern position during the Late Weichselian.
    [Show full text]
  • Salla - Arctic Nights and Northern Lights
    Viewed: 20 Sep 2021 Salla - Arctic Nights and Northern Lights HOLIDAY TYPE: Small Group BROCHURE CODE: 20017 VISITING: Finland DURATION: 3 nights In Brief Our Opinion Deep in the snowy wilderness of Finnish Lapland and just north of the I’ve been lucky enough to visit several reindeer farms Arctic Circle, Salla is the ideal location in Finland, but Salla is my favourite. Stepping into the for a weekend of Northern Lights corral, the reindeer herder sprinkled a circle of feed hunting. Cosy winter cottages, a around my feet and straight away the reindeer trotted fantastic ski centre and Aurora hunting towards me and started snuffling away, chomping at the combined with thrilling winter food. Being that close to them was a fantastic activities, this 3-night stay is the perfect experience and I felt very lucky indeed. It’s an incredible all-round package. place to visit. Allan Cooper Speak to us on 01670 785 012 [email protected] www.theaurorazone.com PAGE 2 What's included? ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES LISTED BELOW ARE INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY PRICE • Flights: direct flights from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi. Flight routes are subject to change • Transfers: return group airport transfers • Accommodation: 3 nights in a one-bedroom winter cottage (upgrades are available for a supplement) • Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners • The following activities and equipment are included: Northern Lights snowshoeing, husky safari, Northern Lights reindeer safari (the order of activities is subject to change) • Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay • Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors during activities Trip Overview We are experts in our field and the Northern Lights are our passion, which is why we continually strive to pick the best destinations with the best activities and the ideal opportunities to search for the Aurora.
    [Show full text]
  • Pohjois-Lapin Kunnissa (Inari, Sodankylä, Utsjoki)
    Inari Hankkeen nimi Toteuttajat Rahoitus Kuvaus Alue Teema Toteutusaika Arctic Outdoor- Inarin kunta EAKR 2014- Tulevaisuuden matkailun trendeinä ovat yksilömatkailun, Sodankylä, hyvinvointi, Turvallisuutta ja 2020/Lapin liitto terveys- ja hyvinvointimatkailun sekä liikuntamatkailun Inari turvallisuus terveyttä tunturista 1.9.2017 - lisääntyminen ja elämyshakuisuus. Arctic Outdoor – 2017 - 2019 31.10.2019 turvallisuutta ja terveyttä tunturista -hankkeen tavoitteena on rakentaa Saariselän alueesta kansainvälisesti tunnettu ja houkutteleva arktinen ulkoliikuntakeskus. Kehittämisen visioiden kautta tavoitellaan seuraavaa: 1) Pisimmälle viedyin yhteinen brändi-ilmentymä, 2) nykyaikaisin, 3) turvallisin, 4) laajin, 5) tuotteistetuin ja 6) tunnetuin. Birgen ruovttus – Samisoster ry STEA 2019-2021 Birgen ruovttus – hanke järjestää monikulttuurista ja Enontekiö, hyvinvointi, hanke sosiaalista kanssakäymistä edistävää ryhmätoimintaa ja Inari, yhteisöllisyys tapahtumia ikäihmisille. Hankeessa järjestää erilaisia Sodankylä, tapahtumia yhteistyössä eri tahojen kanssa, esimerkkejä Utsjoki tapahtumista ovat ystävänpäivä, vanhusten viikon tapahtumat ja joulujuhla. Buorre boahtteáigi Samisoster ry STEA 2015-2017 Porosaamelaisten hyvinvoinnin ja osallisuuden Enontekiö, hyvinvointi, 2015-2017 edistämiseen tietoisuuden lisäämisellä, ohjauksella ja Inari, sosiaalinen vertaistoiminnoilla Sodankylä, osallisuus Utsjoki Goaikkanas Samisoster ry STEA 2017-2018 Työikäisten päihteiden riskikäyttäjien alkoholinkäytön Enontekiö, sosiaalinen vähentämiseen ja elämänhallinnan
    [Show full text]
  • 'Bättre Folk' – Critical Sociolinguistic Commentary in Finnish Rap Music
    Paper ‘Bättre folk’ – Critical Sociolinguistic Commentary in Finnish Rap Music by Elina Westinen (University of Jyväskylä) December 2011 ‘Bättre folk’ – Critical Sociolinguistic Commentary in Finnish Rap Music Elina Westinen Description Westinen, Elina, MA, is a doctoral student in the Center of Excellence for the Study of Variation, Contacts and Change in English (VARIENG), funded by the Academy of Finland (2006-2011) and in the Languages and Discourses in Social Media research team which is part of the Max Planck Working Group on Sociolinguistics and Superdiversity. In her ongoing PhD study, she is exploring the construction of polycentric authenticity in Finnish hip hop culture through linguistic and discursive repertoires on several scale-levels. Her research relates to the following research areas: sociolinguistics, discourse studies, multilingualism and hip hop research. Summary This paper discusses the ways in which rap music makes use of a range of resources to construct a critical sociolinguistic commentary. The specific case it focuses on is Finnish rap which takes issue with the official, but often tension-ridden Finnish-Swedish bilingualism in Finland. It shows how the resources used in this kind of rap are simultaneously discursive and linguistic and how they operate on several scale-levels, i.e. socio-temporal frames (Blommaert 2010), such as global, translocal and local. The findings of this paper will contribute to our understanding of (trans)local hip hop cultures and, more specifically, of the versatile nature of Finnish rap music. In my analysis, I will look into the ways in which a local rapper creates a sociolinguistic critique by making use of both discursive and linguistic resources.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mustajärvi Orogenic Gold Occurrence, Central Lapland Greenstone Belt, Finland: a Telluride-Dominant Mineral System
    Mineralium Deposita https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-020-00990-w ARTICLE The Mustajärvi orogenic gold occurrence, Central Lapland Greenstone Belt, Finland: a telluride-dominant mineral system Matthias Mueller1,2 & Petri Peltonen2,3 & Pasi Eilu4 & Richard Goldfarb5 & Eero Hanski1 Received: 27 June 2019 /Accepted: 17 May 2020 # The Author(s) 2020 Abstract The Mustajärvi gold occurrence lies in the southern part of the Paleoproterozoic Central Lapland Greenstone Belt, in proximity to the first-order transcrustal Venejoki thrust fault system. The gold occurrence is structurally controlled by the second-order Mustajärvi shear zone, which is located at the contact between siliciclastic metasedimentary and mafic to ultramafic metavolcanic rocks. The main mineralization comprises a set of parallel veins and sulfidized rocks that are slightly oblique to the shear zone and are hosted by third-order structures likely representing Riedel R- type shears. The gold-mineralized rock at Mustajärvi is associated with pyrite that is present in 0.15- to 1-m-wide quartz-pyrite-tourmaline veins and in zones of massive pyrite in the host rocks with thicknesses ranging from 1.15 to 2 m. In unweathered rock, hypogene gold is hosted by Au- and Au-Bi-telluride micro-inclusions in pyrite, whereas strong weathering at near surface levels has caused a remobilization of gold, resulting in free gold deposited mainly in the cracks of oxidized pyrite. The geochemistry of both mineralization styles is typical of orogenic gold systems with strong enrichments comprising Au, B, Bi, CO2, Te, and Se; and less consistent anomalous amounts of Ag, As, Sb, and W. Unusual for orogenic gold deposits is the strong enrichment of Ni and Co, which leads to the classification of Mustajärvi as orogenic gold occurrence with atypical metal association.
    [Show full text]
  • Arctic Ocean Railway Report
    2018 Arctic Ocean Railway Report Arctic Ocean Railway Report Finnish Transport Agency Helsinki 2018 Cover photo: Simo Toikkanen Web publication pdf (www.fta.fi) ISBN 978-952-317-527-3 Finnish Transport Agency P.O. Box 33 FI-00521 HELSINKI Tel. 358 (0) 295 34 3000 3 Foreword The Finnish Transport Agency was responsible for drawing up the Arctic Ocean Railway Report in collaboration with the Norwegian Railway Directorate (Jernbanedirektoratet). The Finnish Transport Agency commissioned two separate studies. Sitowise Oy drew up a technical report, while Ramboll Finland Oy analysed the transport potential and impacts of the alternative routes. Jernbanedirektoratet commissioned Norconsult AS to conduct similar analyses on the Norwegian side. Matti Levomäki from the Finnish Transport Agency chaired the steering group for the Arctic Ocean Railway Report. In addition to representatives from the Finnish Transport Agency, the steering group also had representatives from the Norwegian Railway Directorate (Jernbanedirektoratet), Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), Regional Council of Lapland, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Lapland Chamber of Commerce, Rovaniemi Development Ltd, Federation of Municipalities in Eastern Lapland, Torne Valley Sub- region, Sea Lapland Development Centre, Federation of Municipalities in Northern Lapland, and Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. Helsinki, March 2018 Finnish Transport Agency 4 Contents 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Reindeer Husbandry in Finland
    The 11th Arctic Ungulate Conference, Saariselkä, Finland, 24-28 August, 2003. Reindeer husbandry in Finland Jouni Filppa Paliskuntain yhdistys, PL 8168, Koskikatu 33 A, FIN-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland (matti.sarkela @paliskunnat.fi). Abstract: Reindeer are herded in the northernmost Finland over an area of 114 000 km2, about 35% of the area of the country. Herding is carried out both by Sami and Finns. The paper gives some statistics on the reindeer industry and underlines the importance of reindeer husbandry in Finland. Key words: Rangifer tarandus, reindeer industry, statistics. Rangifer, 25 (1): 59-62 Reindeer area In Finland, reindeer husbandry is practised in a re- has its own administration, defined borders and gion that comprises the Province of Lapland and area. The number of reindeer and the size of the parts of the Province of Oulu, and its surface cov- area vary. All reindeer owners are members of the ers 114 000 km² which is more than one third of herding co-operative and their respective rights and Finland’s total area. The herding year begins 1 June responsibilities are determined on the basis of the and ends 31 May next year. During this period of number of reindeer owned by them. The chief who time there are two peak seasons: calf marking from is appointed by the General Meeting of the herd- June to July and round-ups from September to ing co-operative heads the herding co-operative. All January. Reindeer husbandry has significant impor- co-operatives are members of the Reindeer Herd- tance in maintaining the marginal regions inhabited.
    [Show full text]
  • Finland and Russia
    Living Conditions in Northern Border • Comparative Approach: Finland and Russia [email protected] On the basis of a research made during the years 1994 and 2006 Finland and Russia are compared concerning • northern living condition • structure of population • health • the phase of information society • employment • education • economical conditions • experiences on living conditions, attitudes between Finns and Russians, opinions on the border and its crossing possibilities Primary data Inquires to data collected 1994 data collected 2006 citizens Inquiry to citizens in Russia / Inquiry to citizens in Russia / Finland (Kandalaksha Finland (Kandalaksha incuding Alakurtti, Murmansk including Severomorsk, incuding Alakurtti, Kemijärvi, Salla, Inari) Kostomuksha, Kemijärvi, Salla, Kuhmo) Secondary material for research Statistics 1995•2004/2005 about countries Finland, Russia In comparison also EU15 (European Union before year 2004) / EU 25 (European Union Literal after year 2004) if there were not statistics available about EU then in comparison whole references Europe, western Europe, eastern Europe, the world Statistics 1995•2004/2005 about research Murmansk, Kandalaksha, Kemijärvi, Salla, Inari areas Literal references The citizens’attitudes towards the border as a research objective in 1994 and 2006 Social practices Social practices Material conditions Material conditions Cultural Citizens’ Cultural Product ional, economical attitudes towards product ional, border economical Work, education Work, education Social relations Social relations Attitudes Attitudes In order to understand differences in socio•cultural context it is necessary to have broader perspective on changes in socio•cultural and material conditions in northern living areas Living conditions and their changes are connected with the development in a level of state and union (Finland) as well as federation (Russia) and local living areas.
    [Show full text]