The document discusses opportunities and challenges related to democracy and technology in Finland. It notes that Finland established the first parliamentary committee for the future in 1993 during a recession to discuss long-term national development issues. New technologies enable more participatory and deliberative forms of democracy but may also risk replacing informed decision-making with "populist pollcracy." Ensuring an informed public debate while protecting privacy and freedom of speech will also be ongoing challenges. Finland transformed from an economic crisis in the 1990s to become highly competitive by 2000 through investments in education, technology, and cooperation across sectors of society. Remaining challenges include issues like unemployment, an aging population, and uneven development.

1. Finnish democracy Reflections on future and past Jyrki J.J. Kasvi Parliament of Finland Committee for the Future

2. Committee for the Future The first committee for the future in the world! Established in 1993 in the middle of a deep national recession Initiative by the members of the Parliament (167/200)‏ Does not take actively part in day to day legislation by choice Prepares Parliament’s replies for Government’s Futures reports concerning national long-term development e.g. Finnish population policy Responsible for parliamentary technology assessment e.g. Information society, gene technology, RFID, future of health care Brings into political discussion longer term (10-100 yrs) issues ” A parliamentary think-tank”

3. Opportunities New technologies involve new people in governance New tools for public awareness and interaction Participative and deliberative democracy Citizen can follow political processes, get background information and participate in public debate Challenge: How to include less active people in decision making Interactive ”amateur” media vs. edited broadcasting media Anyone can become a mass media provider New interactive participative media create new social cultures Network cultures, even nations replace geographical identities

4. Informing Participation feedback Public debate Political decision making Civil servant preparation Knowledge management Interaction Back office Front office Client office

5. Challenges Populistic pollcracy replaces democracy Constant direct interaction with voters does not necessarily encourage informed, compromise seeking decision making Legislative process is too slow e.g. the brand new Finnish modem hijacking prevention policy Easy to pick only those information sources that support our preconceptions e.g. CNN vs. Fox and U.S. public debate on Iraq As ICT becomes ubiquitous, the digital divide evolves into an activity divide ICT gives active people more opportunities to be active members of the society ICT gives passive people more opportunities to be passive.

6. Digital value questions Democracy = privacy + freedom of speech Right to get information freely and without tracing Right to express oneself without fear of retribution e.g. the background of the Finnish Constitution 100 years ago, when censorship of critical papers lead to civil unrest and political terrorism. Right for personal privacy is being questioned Private letters vs. private emails retention of telecommunication vs. retention of mail communication data Right for freedom of speech is being questioned Anonymity in a demonstration vs. anonymity in Internet discussion Discussion about drug manufacturing tech. vs. copy protection tech.

7. Finnish survival story In the early 1990’s Finland was almost taken over by IMF Collapse of the Soviet Union Global recession Incompetent (but necessary) liberalisation of Finnish banks In the early 2000’s Finland was the most competitive nation in the world 1990 2.467,000 pwy = 1995 2.070,000 pwy (f.ex. banking industry)‏ Early adopter of new information and communication technologies Strong points: Technologies, Company operations and strategy, clustering/networking, corporate ethics, environmental management, lack of corruption Weak points: Exchange rate, inflation, interest rate, bureaucratic red tape, inflexible wages, agricultural policy, pay/productivity, lack of wage equality of sexes, maternity laws…

8. What went right Whole society focused on education and research and development Massive public and private investment particularly on telecommunication E&R&D Welfare services and benefits were cut simultaneously Fortunately this started even before the recession E.g. The number of engineers passed the number of dairy farms in 1986 Tax cuts and foreign loans Keeping society stable with borrowed money instead of bleeding Finnish economy dry

9. How was this possible The decisions made were politically totally unacceptable A unique rainbow coalition government Stable multi-party system creates continuity Coalition governments with parties from previous ones Good interaction between parliament and government (Consensus policy makes politics boring and discourages voters)‏ Shared vision across society Shared history (war)‏ Shared social institutions (national security and economy courses)‏ Shared culture: Sauna , summer cottages, Midsummer, Christmas Cooperation between government, unions, industry labour and industry and resarch institutes and universities Consesus at its best

11. Challenges left Mass unemployment vs. lack of qualified employees Overshooting educational targets A nation of engineers is not possible Lack of competent people on other critical fields (geronpsychology) Rapid changes have been very stressful to people Work related mental health problems, particularly depression Delayed preparation for ageing population In 2009, 50% of the Finnish voters will be over 50 years of age Finnish welfare system encourages delayed child making Finnish immigration policy is still in its infancy Uneven development of productivity Private sector vs. public services

12. Sukupuolten välinen digikuilu? Discussion?