Finnish Local Government Barometer 2008: Inhabitants

The survey charted the respondents' attitudes towards municipal administration, service provision, and elections. First, the respondents were presented with a set of attitudinal statements on municipal administration and services. Their views were also queried on various municipalities, municipal decision-making, and service provision. In addition, the respondents were queried how adequate or inadequate different services in their municipalities were in terms of demand. They were also asked whether the responsibility for organising municipal services should be assumed by individual municipalities or jointly by several municipalities, and whether private companies and organisations should provide municipal services more in the future. Further questions charted the respondents' willingness to hold various municipal elected offices, for example standing as a candidate in municipal elections or acting in a department of a political party. They were also presented with a list of various characteristics of local councillors and asked which characteristics they would like to see in their own councillors. In addition, the respondents gave their opinions about various statements on municipal management and municipal elections. Finally, the adult respondents evaluated themselves as voters. Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, education, occupational status, household composition, region of residence (NUTS3), and household gross income.