ABSTRACT
Taking Hedström and Wittrock’s idea and applying it to the field of education policy, we propose that any meaningful research must be based on “the unique nature of a variety of situations in time and space, and the cultural resources available in these situations” (Hedström & Wittrock, 2009, 8). By way of orientation and in an attempt to shed light on this apparently simple notion, we characterise Finnish history in terms of changing political situations, political possibilities and the use of the room of action, politicking. In line with the analytical framework introduced in the previous chapter (see Table 1.1). Thus our ambitious aim is to outline the general dynamics of Finnish political life, of which education politics is just a part and in which it should thus be framed and embedded. We should point out that the few notes presented here are meant to contextualise what follows in this book, especially for readers who are not familiar with the case of Finland.
