ECONOMIC CRISES AND SUPPORT FOR THE WELFARE-STATE IN FINLAND 1975-1993

In this article the relationship between the economic situation and pu blic support for the welfare state is investigated. Two hypotheses are presented: (1) serious economic crises reduce the support for welfare , and (2) once the crisis is over, support will gradually return to it s pre-crisis level. These hypotheses are studied using Finnish public opinion data from 1975 to 1993, and considerable support for them is f ound. Furthermore, the article demonstrates that, even during a deep r ecession, public opinion gives higher priority to the welfare function s of the state over other functions.