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Social Movements, Voluntary Associations and Cycles of Protest in Finland 1905‐91
Author(s) -
Siisiäinen Martti
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
scandinavian political studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.65
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1467-9477
pISSN - 0080-6757
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9477.1992.tb00129.x
Subject(s) - voluntary association , social movement , antecedent (behavioral psychology) , turnover , state (computer science) , movement (music) , political science , politics , welfare state , political economy , welfare , social psychology , sociology , gender studies , psychology , law , economics , philosophy , management , algorithm , computer science , aesthetics
During the 20th century five cycles of protest have emerged in Finland: 1905‐18, 1928‐32, 1944‐48, 1966‐76, and the continuing cycle of new social movements beginning around the end of the 1970s. This article begins with an examination of the differences and similarities in the formation of these cycles against the background of antecedent political opportunity structures. The question of the relationship between social protest movements and formal voluntary associations is then addressed. It is shown that social movements and formal voluntary associations have been interactive, mutually reinforcing ways of reacting to different manifestations of social crisis. Existing formal associations have created the preconditions for the occurrence of protest movements and vice versa: new voluntary associations have been born out of cycles of protest and protest movements. Movements and voluntary associations have also been central in creating pressures for reforming state institutions and thus in developing the Finnish welfare state.