A weak debate

Independent since 1917, then subject to Soviet and later Russian rule, Finland joined the European Union in 1995, following a national consultative referendum held in the autumn of the previous year, and after a phase of serious economic recession that had begun with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.That recession could be seen as part of the country’s modernization. Out of it came political guidelines aimed at the integration of Finnish society in the world economy and in Europe. The main change at that time was accession to the European Union. It was decided by the will of the people through the referendum that was preceded by a very pragmatic debate, focused on the economy, security and the social consequences, but also the fear of losing national independence and sovereignty. The focal points of the so-called “intellectual” debate, on the other hand, were the questions of the nation in response to the European identity and democracy, federalism, confederalism and internal government.Discussion on Europe and the European Union has continued, rarely on common values, but more often on political and institutional issues such as European legitimacy in the perception of citizens; the progress of the EU towards a federal state with reference to unemployment, international criminality, the democratic deficit in the decision-making procedures; democracy in response to bureaucratic rules; the federalist culture and the strong culture of the State; peace and security policy. For the majority of the Finns, the “European values” are obscure and not clearly defined; hence the difficulty they have in sharing them. Europe can be defined in relation to a common culture, in relation to its citizens, and as a space in which people can meet. These are three visions that lead to a different understanding of Europe’s common values. If Europe is considered “a space in which people can meet”, the European identity is characterised by forms of political and cultural exchange; if it is regarded from the viewpoint of a context of citizens founded on the universal principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as prescribed in the Constitutional Treaty, then the emphasis is placed on policy. But Europe can also be considered as a “family of nations” rooted in a common history and culture. The European identity, in this case, is founded on religion, philosophy, science and the arts, with a strong awareness of and insistence on the Christian tradition. The Catholic Church emphasises the common Christian roots and the consciousness of belonging to a common civilization from which universal values descend.Today most Finns see the European project as an economic solution and for security. The debate on the European values between the Churches and the organizations is weak. Recently, due to a lack of interest on the part of the Churches, the ecumenical Council was unable to set up a work group on the questions of Europe, as happened in the 1980s and 1990s. The economic prosperity we enjoy today in Finland does not filter down into the existential discussions on values. The theme, quite simply, is not considered important.