ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the ideological landscape of voters in Finland between 2003 and 2019 using policy items connected to the traditional left–right socioeconomic dimension and the GAL–TAN value dimension (i.e., Green–Alternative–Libertarian vs. Traditional–Authoritarian–Nationalist). At the general population level, there is no gradual aggregate shift towards any of the poles along the left–right dimension. The population as a whole has remained just right of the centre. Neither are the any signs of polarisation (i.e., divergence of political attitudes away from the centre towards the left and right extremes). In terms of the GAL–TAN dimension, the general population appears to have developed more green-alternative-libertarian values. But, there is no clear trend of polarisation among the general population. The results further indicate that the old cleavage between left and right still helps us to understand party choice in Finland. However, the GAL–TAN has emerged as a potent predictor of party choice, surpassing left–right attitudes in influence.
