Finnish Opinions on Security Policy and National Defence 2008

The Advisory Board for Defence Information (ABDI) commissioned this survey to ascertain the opinions of Finns on Finnish foreign, security, and defence policy. The survey also included questions regarding the relationship between Finland and the NATO. In addition, the respondents were asked to provide their views on how they feel security will develop over the next five years and to assess the factors which affect their feeling of security. The survey also polled the citizens' views on Finland's participation in the EU rapid response force and in the NATO Response Force, as well as in international peacekeeping and crisis management tasks. They also gave their opinions on the construction of the gas pipeline in the Finnish Gulf, the US missile defence system planned to be deployed in Czech Republic and Poland, Finland's ratification of the treaties banning cluster bombs and land mines, and the introduction of a so-called general service, which would apply to both men and women and could be performed either as military or civil service. One topic covered possible the respondents' future concerns and threats to Finland. Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, education, occupation, province of residence, and household income.