Breaking the Traditional Style of Finnish Civic Activity

Abstract

In this article, “the basic idea is to introduce the idea of style as an approach to (political) activity and, especially, as an alternative practice to ideological activity.”

Using the example of animal-rights activism, the author posits something “decidedly new” in Finnish civic activity, which traditionally has been channelled through institutions: Finnish movements have been state-oriented, with demands being addressed to the government, and have emphasized knowledge-based rationality as the measure for competent activity. The author categorically rejects “the notion that, in politics, style is anything more than a superficial curtain, behind which the true contents of politicking can be found,” and argues that the traditional style of activity has changed recently toward one called action. The most essential dimension of this action style is unpredictability. Choosing this style means making a (political) judgment, situation by situation. The repertoire of collective activity has enlarged, and actors are now ready to act in the most radical and surprising style.