Political Influence Of Groups

group mattersResearcher Tommi Laitio

Demos Helsinki, www.demos.fiOrganisationernas politiska inflytande

Soc & Kom, University of Helsinki24/2/2012

“The role of a think tank is to valuate

the future.”Mokka & Neuvonen (2011)

think tanks

• a group of people who apply research • strive to influence decision making• independent of institutions• usually non-profit• driven by an ideology, belief or a

perception of human beings or society

three types of think tanks

1. Politically affiliated think tanks

Fabian Society (UK), E2 (FIN)

renew political ideology, support political decision making

Emphasises the importance of representative democracy and political parties

2. Thematic think tanks

Institute of Foreign Policy (FIN), World Watch Institute, OECD, EVA (FIN)

gather and value information and data, enhance understanding of a theme

Emphasises expert knowledge and insight, make research applicable

3. Ecosystems for new ideas, “think and do tanks”

Demos Helsinki (FIN), Young Foundation (UK)

experiment new solutions, establish new institutions, financing schemes

Emphasises competing ways of working and the need for new institutions

(Mokka & Neuvonen 2011)

Why think tanks are emerging?

• disparity between people´s desire and possibility for making a difference in politics

• rising freedom, education, consumerism (self-expression)

• technological development• western identity project

flickr/redcountess (cc)

think tanks in finland

1974: EVA

1961: Institute of

Foreign Policy

2003: government support for

party-affiliated

think tanks1967: Sitra

Demos HelsinkiMagma

OK Do

Laitos

Demos helsinki

• Wiki-democracy: politics where people together create solutions and not only select their leaders (demos)

• Future• Happiness and Meaningfulness• Neighbourhood-level solutions and good

cities• Green growth• 8 researchers• equal rights, equal pay, public value

democracy 2.0 and the role of groups

oil peak reached in 2006.

co2 emissions cut by 80 % by 2050 (from level in 1990).

finns have more free time and more education than ever.

in 2030, population grows mainly in big urban regions.

we need to rethink

Population change 2003–2030

country brand of finland:

finland has enormous potential to solve

wicked problems on a global scale.

freedom and democracy are active states.

freedom to / freedom from

“Political questions are far too serious

to be left to politicians.” (arendt)

society of competent and skillful groups

groups define what is considered normal

• Examples:

How we eat, live and dress?

How we behave in a student building?

How much energy we use compared to our neighbours?

groups support us when engaging in something new

• Examples:

North Karelia Project

Restaurant Day

groups improve our wellbeing: we feel useful, competent and needed

• Examples:

Time Banks

Volunteering

Elderly Care

Traditional ways of thinking groups

Residents of Helsinki

WomenMen

Children and young people

Working age

Retired

Residents of Suburbs

DowntownPeople

Rich

Middle Class

Poor

Straight

Gay

cities of competent groups

Dog owners

Dog owners Cross-

countryskiers

Cross-countryskiers

Dog owners

Residents of Paloheinä

Cross-countryskiers

Dog owners

Residents of Paloheinä

SOK co-opmembers

Cross-countryskiers

Dog owners

Residents of Paloheinä

SOK co-opmembers

Cyclists

Community of Geography

Community ofInterest

City AdministrationCity Council

Residents of Helsinki

list 5 communities you belong to.

identify five issues you could help

the city in.

discuss.

(Demos NOW) www.greaterhelsinkivision.fi

combining deliberative democracy and design thinking

identifyingcommunities

connecting communities

to wicked problems

prototyping

hoas lab – social and responsible student housing

Project of Demos Helsinki and Helsinki Region Student Housing Foundation Hoas

identifyingcommunities

connecting communities

to wicked problems

prototyping

- interviews- meetings

- observation- scenarios

- brainstorming- building

partnerships- selecting ideas

- testing in one building- trial and fail

- concept development

FillarikanavaCyclists and the city improving

cycling in Helsinki.

Vetoa ja VoimaaImproving the neighbourhood in a coalition of city officials,

politicians, NGOs, church and business.

finland now has 320 municipalities.the suggestion is to reduce the number to 70.

how could the collaboration between cities and people work in 70 municipalities?

theory of change

ClimateChallenge

Low-CarbonSociety

emission limits, price for carbon, subsidies,...

participation, social innovations, lifestyle changes,...

acceptance for new regulation

(INTER)NATIONAL

POLITICS

CITIES, PEER GROUPS, COMPANIES

Researcher Tommi LaitioDemos Helsinki

twitter: tommilaitiotommi.laitio (a) demos.fi

www.demos.fi