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1. Nordic democracy and public knowledge from historical point of view. Strong emphasis on publicity in all decision making is in the Nordic countries a deep cultural and historical fact. The basis for this was created more than two hundred years ago. In Sweden, Finland was at that time part of Sweden, the freedom of press act was the first in the world - given in 1766. The starting point of the Act was, that citizens can and arc supposed to control the power elites though publicity. The publicity of parliamentary documents is connected with this fight of citizens to know and influence the decisions. The citizens can and are supposed to control power elites through publicity. As early as in 1908 nine years before Finland gained independence libraries got the right to get this type of material free of charge to guarantee that the right to know will be fulfilled. Nowadays the content of the Nordic democracy is more and more labelled by the idea of a citizens society. A citizens?society is a society that is regarded as legitimate by citizens who possess all rights therein. It is this aspect regarding society as legitimate - that keeps up a large number of autonomous institutions (independent) and organizations like schools and libraries. First and foremost, a citizens?society is a society where the status of citizen is common. The status of citizen includes certain basic rights, such as equality before the law, the right to vote, the right to social security, the right to education and the right to knowledge. The concept of citizen enables the elimination of one apparent dichotomy, the dichotomy between positive and negative freedom. Negative freedom means freedom from some obligations, whereas positive freedom means an attempt to define the contents of a person’s life - what life should be like. The individual has opportunities to make life look like their own life. They have similar possibilities to get knowledge. It leaves open whether people use their freedom or not. On the other hand, citizens are required to behave responsibly, to take responsibility. Our democratic process requires that citizens have an insight into society’s affairs at both state and municipal levels.
Approximate Word count = 1422
Approximate Pages = 5.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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